By Dan Neumann
Comments from other trading partners, collected by Mike Dankler of Rep. Rudy Yakym’s office:
- Australia: Trade Minister Don Farrell said, “Australia believes in free and fair trade…We have consistently advocated against these unjustified tariffs. We are working closely with our Embassy in Washington to assess the implications and examine all options.” Minister Farrell will be in the U.S. this week.
- Brazil: Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said his government “has always defended dialog and negotiation. That continues.”
- Cambodia: Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol said Cambodia would continue moving forward with ratification of its Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), adding “The ART is not only about one tariff rate. It covers other topics that we have agreed with the US and we honor our commitments.”
- Canada: Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc called the IEEPA tariffs “unjustified” and added, “Through a period of transformation in Canada’s relationship with the United States and as we approach the first joint review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, we are working to create growth and opportunities on both sides of the border, while strengthening our collaboration with reliable trading partners and allies around the world.”
- India: The Commerce Ministry released a statement that said, “We have noted the U.S. Supreme Court judgement on tariffs yesterday…We are studying all these developments for their implications.” The government postponed a delegation that was supposed to visit the U.S. this week to finalize a deal.
- Indonesia: Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto said that this would not halt the recently-inked ART, adding, “Indonesia has signed the agreement, and what we have requested is that the zero-percent tariff remain, even if a 10 percent rate applies more broadly.”
- Japan: An unnamed senior official told Nikkei that the initial investment projects would continue.
- Malaysia: Trade Minister Johari Abdul Ghani said, “Based on statements previously released by the US, we recognise that the US retains other legal mechanisms to impose trade measures, including unilateral tariffs, should it choose to do so. We also note the recent announcement by President Trump of a temporary 10% tariff measure, and we are studying its scope and implications. At this stage, we are awaiting further clarity on how these measures will be implemented and whether additional adjustments will follow…We will act in Malaysia’s best interests while preserving strong bilateral relations with the US.”
- Mexico: President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “We’ll review the resolution carefully and then gladly give our opinion.” Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard told reporters, “We have to see where this is going” and urged “prudence.” Secretary Ebrard is visiting the U.S. this week.
- New Zealand: Trade Minister Todd McClay said, “Our embassy in Washington will engage with their counterparts to get more information so we can continue to work with exporters, however uncertainty around US tariff policy is likely to remain for an extended period of time.”
- The Philippines: Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the country would press on with trade talks and noted that most exports were already exempt from tariffs.
- Singapore: Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong said, “In all likelihood, this new 15 per cent across-the-board tariff will be applicable to Singapore. We need to be prepared for the impact.”
- South Africa: On Saturday, a government spokesperson had “no comment at this stage.”
- South Korea: The government pulled together its relevant ministers to review the ruling. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said, “While the ruling has increased uncertainties in exports to the U.S., the overall conditions for exports to the U.S., secured through the Korea-U.S. tariff agreement, will remain largely intact. The government will comprehensively review the ruling’s implications, the U.S. administration’s follow-up measures, and trends in major countries to respond fully in a way that best serves national interests and do our utmost to protect the interests of our companies.”
- Taiwan: An Executive Yuan spokesperson said Taiwan expects a “limited impact” from the ruling and will “closely monitor” developments.
- Thailand: Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand would continue trade talks and is monitoring developments.
- The UK: A government spokesperson said, “The UK enjoys the lowest reciprocal tariffs globally, and under any scenario we expect our privileged trading position with the US to continue…We will work with the (U.S.) Administration to understand how the ruling will affect tariffs for the UK and the rest of the world.”