World leaders across the globe are reacting to President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements, with some expressing disappointment and others making threats. On Wednesday, the president announced a baseline tariff of 10% on imports, in addition to reciprocal tariffs based on what each nation imposes on U.S. goods.

Trump believes these tariffs will incentivize foreign investment in the U.S. and spur domestic job growth.

While several U.S. allies articulated their frustration with the tariffs, they also expressed a lack of interest in launching trade wars. Many called for negotiations with the U.S. for new trade agreements. 

TREASURY SECRETARY BESSENT TELLS COUNTRIES NOT TO RETALIATE AFTER SWEEPING ‘LIBERATION DAY’ TARIFFS

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the tariffs a “major blow to the world economy.” Von der Leyen said in a statement that there would be “countermeasures,” though she did not specify what they would entail.

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said that “there are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars,” according to the Associated Press (AP). 

Additionally, according to Reuters, Beijing is also planning to take “countermeasures.” Trump has taken an especially tough approach to China, which was already hit with a 20% tariff earlier this year. China will now face a 34% reciprocal tariff in addition to the 10% baseline imposed on all listed nations.

Trump shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 7, 2025. (Getty Images)

FRANCE ASKS US TO BE ‘COOPERATIVE’ INSTEAD OF ‘CONFRONTATIONAL’ FOLLOWING TRUMP’S ‘LIBERATION DAY’ TARIFFS

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the tariffs would have a “great impact” on U.S.-Japan relations and the global economy, according to the AP. He vowed that the Japanese government would work to “decisively protect people’s lives, jobs and industries.”

Despite being subject to one of the lowest reciprocal tariffs at just 10%, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country would negotiate with the Trump administration to remove the tariffs.

“We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth,” Albanese said, according to Reuters.

Canada and Mexico are exempt from the reciprocal tariffs for now, but they face a 25% tariff on goods, with Canada also being slapped with a 10% energy tariff. While Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed to “fight these tariffs with countermeasures,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country would announce a “comprehensive program” on Thursday, according to Reuters.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump speak during a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on Feb. 27, 2025. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)

When speaking to reporters, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not criticize Trump, rather he said that the U.S. president was acting on “his mandate.” However, he also said that “nothing is off the table.” The prime minister assured that his government is working to make “an economic prosperity deal” with the U.S

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that his country would preemptively lift all tariffs on U.S. goods. However, Trump still announced a 17% reciprocal tariff on Israel. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said his office was “analyzing the implications for the economy.” Smotrich also said that he would meet with the Finance Ministry to discuss possible responses. 

At least seven people, including two children, have died after a boat carrying migrants from Turkey to a nearby Greek island capsized, Greece’s coast guard has said.

A search and rescue operation off the northern coast of Lesbos recovered the bodies.

The coast guard said 23 people have been rescued.

Reporting on what appeared to be the same sinking, Turkish media said the incident was attended by the Turkish coast guard after a rubber dinghy sank in the Aegean Sea between the Turkish mainland and Lesbos.

Those rescued were taken to a hospital and the search continued, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.

Weather in the area was reported to be good and it was unclear what caused the boat to overturn early on Thursday morning.

There was no immediate information on the total number of people travelling in the boat, their nationalities, or the type of vessel it was.

A sea and land search and rescue operation is continuing, with three coast guard vessels, an air force helicopter, and a nearby boat searching the area for further potential victims.

Greece is one of the main entry points into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with many making the short but often treacherous journey from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in inflatable dinghies.

Many are unseaworthy or set out in bad weather, and fatal accidents are common.

The Greek government has cracked down with increased patrols at sea and many smuggling rings have shifted their operations south, using larger boats to transport people from the northern coast of Africa to southern Greece.