Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs Plan Escalates Global Trade Tensions

The U.S. president proposes new trade measures targeting countries with significant trade surpluses, prompting strong reactions from global partners.

Donald Trump announced a plan to impose 'reciprocal tariffs,' matching the trade barriers of other countries, including both tariffs and non-tariff measures like regulations and VAT.
The European Union criticized the proposal as a step backward in global trade relations and signaled it would respond firmly to any new U.S. tariffs.
Germany's automotive industry, heavily reliant on exports to the U.S., faces significant risks from the proposed measures, with billions in trade potentially affected.
Countries with large trade surpluses with the U.S., including China, Germany, and Mexico, are likely to be the primary targets of these tariffs, with implementation expected by early April.
The move is part of Trump's broader strategy to address perceived trade imbalances, though critics warn it could lead to higher consumer prices and further strain international trade systems.