US President Donald Trump is urging American businesses and the public to “hang tough,” insisting his tariff plan will deliver “historic” results, despite growing global concern and widespread protests.
However, the immediate impact of the tariffs is already being felt. Luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed it will pause shipments to the US following the White House’s imposition of a 25% tariff on car imports. Other car manufacturers are also expressing concern about the measures.
Businesses in both the US and the UK are voicing alarm over the impact of the tariffs, particularly the 10% levies already in place on imports from certain countries. The president of the National Black Farmers Association told the BBC the tariffs are “directly” affecting the sector, while an American importer said “the math won’t add up.”
Major companies like Apple and Nike are also feeling the effects of the new measures, contributing to turmoil in global markets. Wall Street’s three main indexes experienced a sharp drop of more than 5% on Friday.
The tariffs have triggered anti-Trump protests around the world. Hundreds gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square to demonstrate against the White House’s policy. Alyssa, an American living in the UK, told the BBC that the tariffs are causing “everyone to [lose] money” and accused Trump and Elon Musk of “dismantling American democracy and trying to do the same thing in Europe.”
Alec Le Beut, a student from Los Angeles studying in the UK, expressed broader concerns about the administration’s actions towards allies, saying, “The administration’s actions towards its friends and allies has been scary, and I worry for the future as a result.” Tyler Hofer, a student from St. Louis, Missouri, accused the Trump White House of “turning on its allies,” adding, “Everywhere I go, people feel that America is against them.”
International Response and Protests
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed the tariffs, with a Downing Street readout of their call stating they “agreed that a trade war was in nobody’s interests but nothing should be off the table.” They also “shared their concerns about the global economic and security impact, particularly in South East Asia.” Starmer is reportedly spending the weekend speaking to foreign leaders about the tariffs.
Anti-Trump demonstrations have taken place across Europe and the US. Protesters in cities like Berlin, London, and Paris have called for an “end to the chaos” and expressed support for Ukraine, with some comparing Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump’s Response
President Trump has been seen reading coverage of the tariff fallout in the New York Post while at his golf club in Florida. The newspaper’s headline, “China: Yeah? Try These Tariffs Out,” highlights the ongoing trade tensions. The article also reported on Beijing’s retaliatory 34% tariffs and the fall of the Dow Jones index.
The US president is not expected to make any public statements on Saturday.
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