What World Leaders Have Been Saying About Trump’s Tariffs so Far

World leaders have reacted to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs with a mixture of criticism, concern, and requires calm.

As of Could 7, there’s a 10% blanket tariff on all items imported into america, with restricted exemptions for the auto business and a few electronics; further tariffs on 75 nations have been paused on April 9.

The US now has as much as 245% in tariffs on imports from China, the manufacturing hub, whereas China has retaliated with a 125% tariff on US items.

The Trump administration has repeatedly indicated that it’s negotiating with varied buying and selling companions, together with Canada, Mexico, and Japan, however none of these talks have yielded a commerce deal to date.

Commerce and worldwide relations consultants have beforehand instructed Enterprise Insider that the strain is now on Trump to ship commerce offers earlier than the tariff pause ends 90 days from April 9.

Nevertheless, on Could 6, Trump mentioned he does not must make offers in response to being requested when offers can be made.

“We do not have to signal offers, they must signal offers with us. They need a chunk of our market. We do not need a piece of their market,” Trump mentioned in the course of the White Home assembly with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

On the evening of Could 7, Trump teased a commerce deal framework announcement for Thursday morning.

Here’s what world leaders have mentioned about Trump’s tariffs and potential negotiations up to now.

Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney known as Trump’s April 2 tariffs “unjustified,” and vowed to defend jobs in Canada “by defending provide administration, doubling income protections, and increasing processing capability.”

Throughout a Could 6 assembly with Trump on the White Home, each leaders signaled that the USMCA — a commerce settlement between the US, Canada, and Mexico — might face an overhaul.

“It’s a foundation for a broader negotiation,” mentioned Carney of USMCA whereas fielding reporter questions with Trump. “Some issues about it are going to have to vary, and a part of the best way you’ve got carried out these tariffs has taken benefit of current points of USMCA — so it is going to have to vary.”

Carney is taken into account by many as a relative newcomer in politics, however he has a long time of expertise in finance.

China

Trump and China have to date disagreed on every thing from whether or not tariffs are justified to who initiated their upcoming commerce talks in Switzerland.

“The assembly between Chinese language and US senior officers on financial issues was requested by the US facet,” China’s spokesperson for the Ministry of International Affairs, Lin Jian, wrote on X on Wednesday. “Lately, the US has mentioned repeatedly it desires to barter with China.”

Trump denied that the US had reached out first, and mentioned, “No,” on Could 7 when requested if he would think about reducing his tariffs on China to assist clean upcoming talks.

China has beforehand prompt that the US should decrease the imposed tariffs first to achieve belief.

“China desires to emphasize: in any potential talks and discussions, if the US does not right its false unilateral tariffs, it means there’s a lack of real intent, and that may additional erode mutual belief,” mentioned the spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Commerce in a press convention on Could 2.

“Speaking a method and performing one other, or utilizing talks as a canopy for coercion and strain, merely will not work with China,” the spokesperson added.

Mexico

Regardless of going through 25% in tariffs, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a much less vital stance than most world leaders.

“There are not any further tariffs on Mexico, and that’s good for the nation,” Sheinbaum mentioned throughout a press convention on April 3 after Trump introduced broad tariffs the day earlier than.

Sheinbaum mentioned Mexico was spared from extra tariffs because of “the great relationship we have now constructed with the US authorities, based mostly on collaboration however with respect.”

In a subsequent every day briefing on April 7, 2025, Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico is not going to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US.

Sheinbaum had additionally beforehand efficiently negotiated pauses on tariffs imposed on Mexico in February by highlighting her efforts in curbing fentanyl trafficking and deploying 10,000 Nationwide Guard troops to the border, points that have been listed by Trump as causes to put duties on Mexico.

Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez known as Trump’s April 2 tariffs on EU imports a “unilateral assault” and “Nineteenth-century protectionism.”

Sanchez additionally promptly introduced a €14.1 billion ($15B) assist package deal for affected industries like aluminum, olive oil, and wine.

“We’ll overcome this unfair disaster with out renouncing our values,” Sánchez mentioned. “Europe’s hand is outstretched, and it at all times might be as a result of the American folks, past their governments, are a pleasant folks, however that doesn’t imply that we’re going to stand by and do nothing.”

After Trump paused further tariffs on 75 buying and selling companions on April 9, Sánchez mentioned the choice might open “a door to negotiation.”

Germany

The outgoing chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, mentioned Trump’s selections on tariffs are “essentially improper” and supported Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, president of the EU Fee, when she known as for Europe to react “united, sturdy, and acceptable.”

“That is an assault on a commerce order that has created prosperity across the globe,” Scholz mentioned at a information convention in Berlin on April 7.

“The complete world financial system will undergo from these ill-conceived selections. Companies and customers in every single place on the planet, together with within the US, might be affected,” Scholz added. “The US administration is embarking on a path that may solely lead to losses for everybody.”

German financial system minister Robert Habeck mentioned in February that Trump will “buckle underneath strain” if Europe bands collectively.

Conservative chief Friedrich Merz turned Germany’s new chancellor as of Could 7 and has but to deal with tariffs.

Australia

Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia and chief of the Labour Occasion, made it clear that there might be no retaliatory measures in opposition to the US.

“It’s the American individuals who can pay the most important worth for these unjustified tariffs,” mentioned Albanese in an announcement on April 3. “That is why our authorities is not going to be looking for to impose reciprocal tariffs. We is not going to be a part of a race to the underside that results in increased costs and slower progress.”

Regardless of being vital of Trump’s tariffs, Albanese mentioned there might be “continued constructive engagement” with the US, as a result of the historical past between the 2 nations is “larger than a poor resolution.”

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urged Trump to decrease tariffs in opposition to Japan in a cellphone name with Trump on April 7, however mentioned a deal “will not come in a single day.”

“I’ve instructed the president that Japan has been the most important investor in america for 5 straight years and the tariff insurance policies might harm Japanese corporations’ funding capabilities,” mentioned Ishiba throughout a information convention after the decision.

Throughout Trump’s first time period as president, the US and Japan signed a bilateral commerce deal in 2019 that minimize tariffs on US farm items, Japanese machine instruments, and different merchandise whereas staving off increased duties on Japan’s auto exports.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba mentioned on April 21 that Tokyo has no plan to terminate the commerce deal struck in 2019, however will hold voicing “grave concern” over inconsistency between the deal and Trump’s newest vehicle tariffs.

Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, has been visiting Washington, DC, in current weeks.