According to CCTV News on April 3, the White House issued a statement on April 2 local time saying that US President Trump declared a national emergency that day to enhance the United States' competitive advantage, protect US sovereignty, and strengthen US national and economic security.

The statement said that Trump will impose a 10% "base tariff" on all countries, which will take effect at 00:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 5. In addition, Trump will impose personalized higher "reciprocal tariffs" on countries with the largest US trade deficits, which will take effect at 00:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 9, and all other countries will continue to abide by the original 10% tariff base. The statement also said that Trump has "modification authority" to increase or reduce tariffs as appropriate.

In response, politicians from many countries quickly expressed their opposition to the move.

According to CCTV News, Canadian Prime Minister Carney said in Ottawa on April 2 local time that Trump's tariff policy has fundamentally changed international relations. Although the United States has not listed Canada as a country subject to "reciprocal tariffs", it still imposes tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, automobiles, semiconductors, wood, etc., and Canada must respond to this. He said that he would try to minimize the difficulties caused by the US tariffs to Canadians.

However, Carney did not specify how the response would be specific. He only said that there would be specific instructions on the morning of the 3rd.

Prior to this, Carney and his cabinet members had just concluded a closed-door meeting, the main content of which was to make a final decision on the value and type of goods on which the United States would impose retaliatory tariffs.

According to CCTV News, on April 2, local time, the Brazilian House of Representatives reviewed and passed the economic equivalence bill urgently submitted by the Senate Economic Affairs Committee the day before. Currently, the bill has been formally submitted to Brazilian President Lula for signature and approval. It is reported that this bill aims to authorize the Brazilian government to take countermeasures when the country's foreign trade interests are damaged.

The bill authorizes the Brazilian Foreign Trade Commission to "take countermeasures in the form of restrictions on imports of goods and services" against unilateral actions by countries or economic groups that have a negative impact on Brazil's international competitiveness.

On the same day that the Brazilian House of Representatives passed the bill, US President Trump signed an executive order on "reciprocal tariffs" against many countries around the world, which stipulates a 10% tariff on products from Brazil. Prior to this, the United States had already imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum products imported into the United States since March 12.

According to CCTV News, on the evening of April 2nd local time, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said that he deeply regretted the US decision to impose a 20% tariff on EU imports.

He said Ireland believes in openness and free trade, and imposing tariffs is "not good for the world economy". The daily trade volume of goods and services between the EU and the US exceeds 4.2 billion euros, and the US imposing tariffs is "unjustified".

Martin said that undermining this deeply integrated relationship would benefit no one. Tariffs would lead to inflation, hurt people on both sides of the Atlantic, and put jobs at risk.

Martin said that Ireland will think about how to respond with its EU partners. He believes that the EU's response should be well thought out and any action should be moderate and aimed at safeguarding the interests of businesses, workers and citizens. He also pointed out that now is the time for dialogue and believes that making progress through negotiations is the only wise choice.

That evening, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Harris also responded to the US announcement of additional tariffs, saying that "there are no winners on tariffs" and that a 20% tariff on EU goods could "have a significant impact on Irish investment and the broader economy," adding that the impact "may last for some time."

According to CCTV News, after US President Trump announced a 10% tariff on some Australian products exported to the United States, Australian Prime Minister Albanese held a press conference on April 3 local time to respond.

Albanese refuted the US decision as "without logical basis" and "not the behavior of a friend". He also said that Australia would not seek to impose "reciprocal tariffs" on US products and would not join a race to the bottom that would lead to rising prices and slower growth.

At the press conference, Albanese proposed five new measures to deal with the impact of tariffs, including strengthening Australia's anti-dumping mechanism in key areas such as steel, aluminum, and manufacturing; providing A$50 million in support to affected areas; providing A$1 billion in zero-interest loans from the National Reconstruction Fund; pushing Australian companies to the forefront of the government procurement queue; and establishing a strategic reserve of key minerals.

According to CCTV News, on the afternoon of April 2, local time, Colombian President Petro said that the US government imposed a 10% tariff on Colombian goods. The US's view that raising tariffs can increase its own production, wealth and employment may be a big mistake.

On the same day, Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia posted on social media that the Colombian government will review every technical detail and does not rule out adjustments with the WTO within the framework of the free trade agreement. The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is analyzing measures to protect national industries and exporters with the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture and other departments.

Daily Economic News Comprehensive CCTV News

Cover image source: CCTV News