MKS sports 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-01-21/b434e7e5-c690-4f24-b847-42395b694fd4.jpeg" />

Photo taken on Oct. 9, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The US' latest tariff moves against Canada, Mexico, and China have ignited a wave of opposition, retaliatory measures, and widespread concern among numerous countries, extending well beyond those directly affected so far.

The EU "regrets the US decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China," a European Commission spokesman said on Sunday, as quoted by local media.

US President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico has raised concerns around the world about a possible global trade war. And EU is watching particularly closely as Trump has already signaled his intention to impose tariffs on the bloc, Euronews reported.

The European Commission has previously stated that: "Generalised tariff measures increase business costs, hurt workers and consumers. Tariffs create unnecessary economic disruptions and promote inflation. They are harmful to all parties," according to the report.

"The EU firmly believes that low tariffs foster growth and economic stability within a strong, rules-based trading system. However, the EU will respond firmly to any trading partner that unfairly or arbitrarily imposes tariffs on EU goods," the spokesperson said, according to the report.

On Saturday, Trump issued an executive order imposing a 25-percent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, along with a 10-percent tariff hike on goods from China.

According to the Associated Press, Trump on Sunday night threatened to impose steeper tariffs elsewhere, telling reporters that the import taxes will "definitely happen" with the EU and possibly with the UK as well.

Widespread criticism

US' tariff moves have also sparked widespread criticism and concern among countries including its allies.

While reaffirming Germany's commitment to economic ties with the US, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that the first priority should be "not to divide up the world with many tariff barriers," according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Scholz also hinted that the EU has the ability to respond to any potential moves by the US, Politico reported.

"Tariffs have never been a good idea to resolve trade policy conflicts," Chairman of the German Christian Democratic Union Friedrich Merz said, warning of backlash in the US as rising import costs would fuel inflation and hit American consumers directly.

Given Trump's threats to impose tariffs against the EU, "it is obvious that we must react," France's Industry Minister Marc Ferracci told France Info on Sunday, adding that for countermeasures to be effective, "the response must focus on products that are important" to the US and demanded a "biting" response from Brussels.

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's international trade committee, described Trump's tariffs as violating international law. The EU now has to prepare "to defend our economic interests 1:1," he added, while calling on Brussels to "stabilize and quickly expand" trade relations with other countries, according to the Politico report.

On Sunday, Japan's finance minister Katsunobu Kato told a show on Fuji TV that Japan is "deeply concerned" about the possible repercussions on global trade of Trump's sweeping tariffs targeting major trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, media reported.

Countermeasures

Canada and Mexico have pushed back against US tariffs in response to the 25-percent tariff that the US imposed on goods imported from Mexico and Canada.

Canada will levy 25-percent tariffs on C$30 billion ($21 billion) worth of American goods as of Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, adding that the tariffs would then be applied to another C$125 billion worth of goods in 21 days, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

American beer, wine and spirits, along with vegetables, clothing, shoes and perfume, will be among the first items, as well as household appliances, furniture and sports equipment, according to the report.

More non-tariff trade actions, he said, are still to be decided but could include restrictions on exporting critical minerals and energy products to the United States and a move to block American companies from bidding on government contracts.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Saturday that she had directed her economy minister to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend her country's interests in response to the US imposing sweeping tariffs on Mexican goods, according to Reuters.

In response to Trump's tariff move, multiple Chinese ministries and business community have also voiced their firm opposition.

China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Sunday that the country will file a lawsuit with the WTO regarding the wrongful practices of the US in imposing tariffs on Chinese goods and will take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its rights and interests.

China's foreign ministry also expressed strong opposition to the US tariffs on China and vowed countermeasures.

Fuel inflation, hurt US consumers

The market has also raised concerns that the US tariffs could fuel inflation and burden American consumers, according to media reports.

"The way tariffs work has groups that represent American businesses fearing cost increases that would have consumers paying the price," the New York Times reported.

US Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the former minority leader, said on 60 Minutes on Sunday night that the tariffs Trump ordered on Mexico, Canada and China were a mistake. "It will drive the cost of everything up. In other words, it will be paid for by American consumers."

According to credit rating agency S&P, Canada and Mexico produce around 5.3 million passenger cars annually, with approximately 70 percent destined for the US.

"Importers are likely to pass most, if not all, of the price increase to consumers," S&P noted, warning that the additional costs would further strain affordability in the US auto market.

Global Times