Eric Trump Discusses His Father’s New Trade Policy
Eric Trump went on X on Thursday and told the world exactly how things are going to go under his father’s new trade policy.
“I wouldn’t want to be the last country that tries to negotiate a trade deal with @realDonaldTrump. The first to negotiate will win—the last will absolutely lose. I have seen this movie my entire life,” Eric said.
This came just hours after President Donald Trump signed a sweeping tariff plan at the White House that has already caused a pile of angry reactions across the globe.
According to Reuters, Trump’s new plan will apply a 10% base tariff on imports from all countries, then add higher rates depending on how much the White House believes each country has been taxing U.S. goods.
The administration posted a chart of these new “reciprocal tariffs” on Truth Social showing a full breakdown of countries and their rates.
The new rates include a 34% tariff on China, 20% on the European Union, 46% on Vietnam, and 32% on ###.
President Trump introduces his reciprocal tariffs on ‘Liberation Day.’ Source: Al-Jazeera
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India reacted quickly. On Thursday, India’s Department of Commerce said it is still “carefully examining the implications” of the announcement. The U.S. tariffs on India now sit at 27%, while Trump’s Truth Social post said 26%. That discrepancy wasn’t explained by either side.
Thailand’s Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira told reporters that his country could lose one percentage point from its economic growth forecast because of Trump’s tariffs. The International Monetary Fund had predicted Thailand’s economy would grow by 2.9% this year.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also gave a number. He said these tariffs could knock 0.4% off Poland’s GDP, which equals around 10 billion zlotys, or $2.64 billion. “A severe and unpleasant blow because it comes from the closest ally, but we will survive it,” Tusk wrote on X. “Our friendship must also survive this test.”
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German officials are already talking strategy. Acting Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Thursday that Trump “will buckle under pressure” if Europe unites. “That is what I see, that Donald Trump will buckle under pressure, that he corrects his announcements under pressure,” he said during a press conference.
Greece’s Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis issued a warning of his own. He said the U.S. tariffs are a big change in direction and go against how the European Union believes economic policy should be handled. “As a country, we are in favour of free trade,” Pierrakakis said in a written statement. “We hope that this chapter will last as little as possible.”
The South African presidency said on Thursday that the 30% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have created an “urgency” to renegotiate terms. “The tariffs affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the U.S.,” their statement said. The presidency also said the country is “concerned” by the new duties.
In London, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed a group of business leaders inside 10 Downing Street. He said that Trump had a “mandate” to do what he believed was right for the U.S., but warned that the United Kingdom would make decisions based on its “own national interest.” He added, “Decisions we take in the coming days and weeks will be guided only by our national interest. In the interest of our economy. In the interests of the businesses around this table.”
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Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the 20% tariff slapped on the European Union. “The tariffs are wrong and not in the interest of either party,” she said, as reported by Dow Jones. She also warned that a trade war would “inevitably weaken the West in favor of other global players.” Meloni said she would push to reach a deal with the U.S. and avoid escalation.
Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on Thursday that Madrid is willing to negotiate but won’t accept what he called “unfair and unjustified” tariffs. Spain is part of the EU, which was hit with a flat 20% rate across the board under Trump’s new rules. Cuerpo said the government will take “action” to protect local companies and consumers from the financial hit.
The strongest comments came from France. French government spokesperson Sophie Primas said Trump’s new tariffs reflect an “imperialist posture” and accused him of acting like the “master of the world.” Speaking on RTL Radio, she said the European Union will not let this slide. Primas confirmed the EU is preparing to introduce countermeasures starting in mid-April, with more coming later in April if the situation doesn’t change.
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