As the U.S. rolls out new tariffs, countries around the world are considering their responses. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged nations to refrain from retaliation, advising, “Do not retaliate. Sit back, take it in, let's see how it goes. Because if you retaliate, there will be an escalation. If you don't retaliate, this is the high watermark,” he said, in an interview with Fox News.
However, here are the countries that chose to retaliate.
Europe, led by Germany, is pushing back, with Economy Minister Robert Habeck suggesting that Trump would "buckle under pressure" if European countries united in retaliation.
Meanwhile, the UK has released a list of U.S. goods that could face tariffs in retaliation, signaling a tougher stance on the new U.S. tariff regime. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds noted that all options remain on the table, though he emphasized the importance of negotiation over trade wars.
There will be an economic impact from the decisions the US has taken.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 3, 2025
We will continue to negotiate on a deal in our interests. Decisions will be guided only by our national interests and what is best for the security of working people.
We will go further and faster on the… pic.twitter.com/VMJlCfZLP5
Even China has vowed to hit back with China’s Ministry of Commerce calling it “unilateral bullying” and inconsistent with international trade rules. The ministry stated it would take “countermeasures” to protect its interests and urged the U.S. to resolve differences through dialogue.
