Reuters. European leaders took to social media to voice disappointment as President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday (April 2) that he would impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S. and higher duties on dozens of other countries, including some of the United States' biggest trading partners, deepening a trade war that has rattled global markets and bewildered U.S. allies.
Leaders from Poland, Sweden, and Ireland took to X, the platform previously known as Twitter, to respond. Michael Martin, the Irish Taoiseach, expressed his disappointment, writing on X, "The decision by the US tonight to impose 20% tariffs on imports from across the European Union is deeply regrettable." Martin strongly voiced his opposition to the move, adding, "I strongly believe that tariffs benefit no one."
Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, said in a recorded statement: "I deeply regret the path the US has embarked upon, seeking to limit trade with higher tariffs."
The sweeping duties would erect new barriers around the world's largest consumer economy, reversing decades of trade liberalization that have shaped the global order. Trading partners are expected to respond with countermeasures of their own that could lead to dramatically higher prices for everything from bicycles to wine.
