U.S. President Donald Trump boldly claimed that foreign leaders are eager to strike trade deals with him as his new tariffs come into force, triggering a global trade war.
Speaking at the National Republican Congressional Committee Dinner in Washington, Trump said,
I am telling you, these countries are calling us up, kissing my ass. They are dying to make a deal. ‘Please, please sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything sir,’ imitating a pleading foreign leader.
Trump’s tariffs, announced on April 2, took effect on Wednesday morning, targeting a wide range of imported goods. These tariffs have sparked tensions among global economies, with several nations planning retaliatory measures. The tariffs include a staggering 104 percent duty on Chinese goods, while many other countries, including the European Union, will face tariffs ranging from 11 to 50 percent.
The new tariffs have already had a significant impact on global markets. Asian stock markets saw sharp declines on Wednesday, with Japan’s Nikkei index dropping over 5 percent, the broader TOPIX index falling 4.6 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index losing 4.3 percent. Taiwan’s market plunged more than 5.7 percent.
During his speech, Trump also announced plans to impose additional tariffs on pharmaceutical imports.
