Spanish locals criticize U.S. tariffs policy as 'serious mistake'

Residents in Spain have condemned the latest U.S. tariffs policy on steel and aluminium imports as a "serious mistake," warning that it could trigger a damaging trade war and undermine global economic stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched series aggressive trade measures in pursuit of his so-called "America First" agenda since returning to office in January, and has even imposed tariffs on the European Union, who he accused of having "taken advantage" of the United States.

The European Commission announced last Wednesday that the EU will impose counter-tariffs on 26 billion euros' worth of U.S. goods starting next month, in response to the blanket 25-percent tariffs imposed by the U.S. on steel and aluminum taking effect.

Residents in the Spanish capital Madrid shared their concerns over the escalating trade tensions in on-street interviews with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

"Regarding tariffs, they always end up disadvantaging the consumers of the very country that imposes them. Negative effects are already visible in the stock market, etc. Both economically and socially, I personally see these measures with very little hope," said a local resident called Ignacio.

Another local man named Juan Allende warned the U.S. has made a major mistake in enforcing the tariffs, and believe the market consequences could be dire.

"My opinion is very negative. I think the Americans have made a serious mistake because they believed this would be a solution to their economic problems. But in the end, the markets have turned their backs on the policies of Trump, and I imagine the economy is now on the verge of recession," said Allende.

Nicholas, another Madrid resident, emphasized the long-term implications, fearing it could take a long time for the EU and the U.S. to repair relations amid the current tensions. He also expressed hope for the EU to gain more autonomy in order to ride out the current challenge.

"I believe this has been a monumental error. I think it will take a long time to rebuild that lost trust. In the end, all I can hold onto is some hope that the European Union will gain more autonomy, not just in defense, but also in trade. And I truly hope we can become more self-sufficient," he said.

Spanish locals criticize U.S. tariffs policy as 'serious mistake'

The United States military hit a civil factory in Yemen's Hodeidah city amid its fresh round of airstrikes on the Houthi-held Red Sea port city on Monday night.

The privately-owned iron and steel plant, located in the Salif district north of Hodeidah city, was targeted by 12 U.S. missiles.

Footage recorded by a China Media Group (CMG) correspondent showed that the roof of the factory completely collapsed after the airstrike, and broken bricks and tiles, as well as shrapnel from artillery shells, could be seen everywhere.

The factory had to stop production due to the damage to the equipment.

"The attack on this plant will leave 250 to 300 workers unemployed, with material losses estimated between 13 million to 14 million U.S. dollars," said Saleh Atifa, Houthi-appointed head of Hodeidah's industrial department.

The U.S. military claimed that they were targeting military facilities, but the steel plant was completely an independent civilian plant, according to the Houthis.

"The brutal hostility of the U.S. military targets civilian facilities and other key facilities. Like the steel plant you see here, it belongs neither to the state nor to the military, nor to the security department or the Houthis. It is an independent civilian factory," said Hodeidah governor Abdullah Atifi.

Over the past two days, dozens of Houthi-controlled military sites, as well as dozens of residential houses, have been targeted and bombed by U.S. fighter jets across the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa, and several other northern and western provinces under Houthi control.

The tensions in the Red Sea are a visible manifestation of the spillover effects of the latest round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict centered on the Gaza Strip.

The renewed conflict in the Red Sea comes after Israel halted the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza Strip on March 2, coinciding with the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

On Tuesday, the Houthi group announced that it would resume launching attacks against any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait until the crossings of the Gaza Strip are reopened and aid is allowed in.

US military hits civil steel plant in Hodeidah, Yemen