U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on its major trading partners has sparked public opposition in Germany and other European countries, as the move is expected to bring about price hikes and harm global trade.
Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" and higher rates on certain trading partners.
The order took effect Saturday, leaving all imports to the U.S. subject to 10 percent additional tariffs, except as otherwise provided.
Trump will also impose an "individualized reciprocal higher tariff" on the countries and regions with which the United States "has the largest trade deficits," according to a White House document. This will take effect on April 9.
"The imposition of tariffs will not bring prosperity or wealth to the U.S. as those countries subject to the punitive tariffs will take countermeasures. I think it will only make goods more expensive," said a German resident.
"I can't understand the U.S. move. If someone says, 'we will impose additional tariffs to others across the world,' targeting almost every country, I can't imagine what the benefit is to them. As the world is a globalized combination, we should live in harmony. The U.S. move is an exclusionary practice that causes divisions in the world," said another.
She added that some Europeans have called for a boycott on U.S. products on social media, replacing them with locally produced goods.
"Actually I saw such an appeal yesterday, calling on us to buy more European products. I've also considered buying fewer U.S. products," she said. Business executives from different sectors in Germany, especially chemicals, automobile and foreign trade which are severely affected by the tariffs, have denounced Trump's protectionist policy.
Trump tariffs spark public opposition in Germany
Trump tariffs spark public opposition in Germany
Trump tariffs spark public opposition in Germany
