The White House confirmed the entry into force of tariffs of the 25% about steel and aluminummeasure that affects To all countries, Among them Canada, Australia, the European Union and Argentina. The decision, which was implemented since Wednesday, caused a rapid reaction from the European Union.
The European Commission announced that, as of April, it will impose Tariff countermeasures on US products for 26,000 million euros. These measures seek to “protect European companies, workers and consumers from the impact of these unjustified commercial restrictions,” according to an official statement.
The European Plan includes the Reapplication of previously suspended tariffs about 8,000 million euros in US exportsin addition to New restrictions about 18,000 million euros In products. The president of the commission, Ursula von der Leyenhe described the answer as “Firm but proportional”although he assured that the EU Keep the door open to dialogue.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty derived from these tensions shook financial markets, with Fears that tariff climbing can negatively impact the American economy and increase the risk of a recession.
Idas and turns with Canada for tariffs
In addition, the White House clarified that discarded increase tariffs on Canadian metals at 50%as the president had announced Donald Trump The day before.
Initially, Trump had raised this rise in retaliation to the decision of Ontario to impose a Electricity Tax exported to the United States. However, after the threat, the Prime Minister of Ontario, Doug Fordannounced the Tariff suspension and the beginning of negotiations to adjust the commercial relationship between the two countries.
Impact on markets and criticism of tariff policy
The turn in commercial policies has been harshly criticized by financial analysts. Ipek Ozkardeskayasenior analyst Swissquote Bankhe described the situation as an “tariff absurd” with immediate effects on the markets.
“Officials from the United States and Canada have spent hours imposing mutually tariff Immediate consequencesaffecting the feeling of investors and pressing markets, “he said.
In addition, he stressed that American manufacturers They are already paying significantly higher prices by him steel, aluminum and coppersince many companies rushed to accumulate stock before the implementation of tariffs.
“The gap between the costs of raw materials in the United States and other markets, such as Europe and Asia, It is weakening the competitiveness of US companies. This impacts business trust, feeds inflation and reduces gain margins, even before tariffs enter completely in force, “he explained.
As a consequence, Market volatility continues to increase, with increasingly cautious investors. “If there are no stability signs in the White House commercial policy, it is likely that uncertainty persists and causes new market falls,” Ozkardeskaya concluded.
Source: Ambito
