Washington, Aug 1 (AP) US trade partners reacted Friday to President Donald Trump's executive order that would introduce new tariffs on many of them in seven days, as the global economy and alliances face another test from the president's trade agenda.
Trump's order issued Thursday night came after a flurry of tariff-related activity in recent days as the White House announced agreements with various nations and blocs before a deadline set by the president for Aug 1.
Trump ordered a 35% tariff for goods from Canada, effective from Friday, citing a lack of cooperation on illicit drugs. He also said Thursday that he would extend trade negotiations with Mexico for 90 days.
Swiss watch industry group 'very disappointed'
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry says it is “very disappointed and surprised” by the 39% tariffs imposed on Swiss exports.
Swiss luxury watch brands — with products that cost tens of thousands, if not the hundreds of thousands, of euros — are expected to be hit hard by the tariffs.
“As Switzerland has eliminated all custom duties on imported industrial products, there is no problem with reciprocity between Switzerland and the US,” the federation said in a statement. “The tariffs constitute a severe problem for our bilateral relations. As an additional deadline has been granted, we expect that the Swiss authorities continue to negotiate and find a better solution.”
Swatch and Rolex declined to comment Friday.
Kosovo lifts tariffs on US goods
Kosovo's Cabinet on Friday decided to remove trade tariffs for American products imported into Kosovo.
“We are grateful for our enduring relationship with the United States of America,” Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a statement on X.
Kosovo's goods have a 10% tariff when exported to the United States.
Norwegian furniture maker will pass on costs to American customers
Norway's largest furniture manufacturer, Ekorne, says it will increase its prices for American customers as a result of the 15% tariffs, Norwegian broadcaster TV2 reported.
Tine Hammernes Leopold, Ekorne's chief executive, told TV2 that the manufacturer has to adjust its prices, which are assessed based on individual markets.
The furniture company earned more than $96 million last year in the US, TV2 reported.
South Africa finalising support package to companies
South Africa's government is finalising a package to support companies that will be affected by the 30% tariff on its exports to the US announced by President Donald Trump.
The citrus and vehicle manufacturing industries in South Africa are among those expected to be hit hard.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said in statement Friday that the country would continue negotiating with the US government regarding the tariffs, also noting that some key products like copper, pharmaceuticals and energy products were exempted from Trump's reciprocal tariffs.
Anticipating the imminent 30% tarriffs, South Africa's central bank has revised the country's annual growth forecast from 1.2% to 1%, citing the tariffs' impact on agricultural and manufacturing exports.
Labour federation Cosatu, which represents over 1.5 million workers, has warned of potential jobs losses.
Swiss pharmaceutical Novartis reacts to 39% tariff
Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis said in a statement that it was reviewing Trump's executive order that imposes a 39% tariff on Switzerland.
“We remain committed to finding ways to improve access and affordability for patients,” it said.
Thailand says 19% rate 'reflects close partnership' with US
Thailand's finance minister says the 19% tariff rate imposed by the US “reflects the strong friendship and close partnership” between the two countries.
Thailand's new rate of 19% was reduced from 36%, similar to other rates imposed on Southeast Asian nations, such as Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira wrote in a social media post on Friday that it would “maintain Thailand's competitiveness on the global stage” and opens the “door to economic growth,” but also acknowledged it would pose problems for some sectors of the economy and said that “comprehensive support measures have been prepared."
Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Bangkok later Friday, Pichai said that the deal will still need more time to be hammered out in details.
Norway wants 'zero tariffs'
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told newspaper VG that he believes the Scandinavian country should have “zero tariffs.”
Gahr Støre, following the White House's announcement, said Norwegian officials are still in talks with Washington in the hopes of eliminating the duties altogether.
Norway got hit with an expected 15% tariff.
Switzerland hit with 39% tariff and will try to negotiate
The land of luxury watches, pharmaceuticals and secretive financial services was reeling Friday, Switzerland's National Day, upon learning it had been slapped with a 39% tariff, although Trump had proposed a 31% rate in April.
The Swiss government said officials will continue to seek a negotiated solution.
“The Federal Council notes with great regret that, despite the progress made in bilateral talks and Switzerland's very constructive stance from the outset, the US intends to impose unilateral additional tariffs on imports from Switzerland,” the government said in a post on X.
Trump orders a 35% tariff for goods from Canada, citing a lack of cooperation on illicit drugs
Trump has raised the tariff rate on US imports from Canada to 35% from 25%, effective Friday.
The announcement from the White House late Thursday said Canada had failed “to do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept drug trafficking organisations, other drug or human traffickers, criminals at large, and illicit drugs".
Trump earlier had threatened to impose the higher tariff on Canada if no deal was reached by Friday, his deadline for reaching trade agreements with dozens of countries.
Canada was not included in Trump's updated list of tariff rates on other countries announced late Thursday. Those import duties are due to take effect on Aug 7.
Malaysia hails 'significant achievement' in 19% tariff rate
Malaysia's Trade Ministry said Friday that the US tariff reduction from 25% to 19% was a “significant achievement” as the deal was struck without compromising key national interests.
“The 19% rate roughly tracks the rate of other countries in the Southeast Asian region,” the ministry said in a statement. “Most importantly, Malaysia had stood firm on various red line' items, and the 19% tariff rate was achieved without compromising the nation's sovereign right to implement key policies to support the nation's socio-economic stability and growth.”
The ministry said that Malaysia's economy remains resilient despite global headwinds, citing strong domestic demand and ongoing structural reforms.
The statement didn't give further details but officials previously said non-tariff barriers such as halal certification, which affects US beef and poultry exports, along with digital trade and government procurement were sticky points. It's unclear what concessions Malaysia made.
Cambodia will impose zero tariffs on all American goods
Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who led his nation's trade talks with the US, thanked Trump for setting the tariff rate on Cambodian goods at 19% and said his country will impose zero tariffs on all American goods.
When Washington originally posted its list of notional “reciprocal” tariffs, the rate for goods from Cambodia was 49%, one of the highest in the world. It had estimated that Cambodian tariffs on US imports averaged 97%.
Sun Chanthol also said Cambodia would purchase 10 passenger aircraft from Boeing in a deal they hoped to sign later this month. Several other nations had already announced similar aircraft purchase deals as part of their trade packages.
Trump had threatened to not conclude a deal with reduced tariffs if Cambodia and Thailand did not stop a recent armed conflict over border territory. The two nations agreed on a ceasefire beginning Tuesday that appears to be holding.
Cambodia publicly celebrated Trump's peace initiative, suggesting he deserved a Nobel Prize for his intervention. Sun Chanthol said Friday that Cambodia would nominate him for the honour.
Australia's 10% tariff rate is vindication of country's 'cool and calm negotiations,' trade minister says
Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell says gaining the minimum US tariff on exports including beef, lamb, wine and wheat gave Australia a competitive advantage over some competitors.
Farrell told reporters Australia did not introduce tariffs on US goods at any point, and added, “I haven't seen any case or any example where the retaliatory imposition of tariffs has resulted in a country being in a better position."
Farrell argues that no US tariffs can be justified because Australia imposes no tariffs on its bilateral free trade partner. The United States has enjoyed a trade surplus with Australia for decades.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been criticised for failing to secure a face-to-face meeting with Trump to discuss trade.
Japan welcomes Trump's signing of the executive order as an ease in uncertainty
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi welcomed Trump's signing of the executive order setting Japan's new reciprocal tariffs as a step that would reduce uncertainty of the US trade policy and its negative impact on the global economy, including that of Japan.
Hayashi, however, said Japan still needs to closely examine the measures and continue urging prompt implementation by the US government to carry out the agreement, including reduction of tariffs on automobiles and auto parts.
Hayashi acknowledged that Japan's new tariff rate of 15% is a “major reduction” from the initially imposed 25%, but his government will continue to watch and mitigate its impact on Japanese exports, including by providing financial assistance for small and medium-sized businesses.
New Zealand looks to lobby for lower tariff rates
New Zealand officials said they would lobby the administration for a change to the 15% tariff announced for the country's exporters to the US. It's an increase from the original 10% baseline announced for New Zealand in April.
“We don't think this is a good thing. We don't think it's warranted,” Trade Minister Todd McClay told Radio New Zealand Friday. He said New Zealand appeared to have been targeted for a larger levy because the country records a trade deficit with the US but that the gap of about half a billion dollars each year was “not significant or meaningful”.
Neighbouring Australia dodged an increase to remain at 10%, but it records a trade surplus with the US, McClay added.
The United States in January overtook Australia to become New Zealand's second-largest export partner, behind China. New Zealand exports are largely made up of meat, dairy, wine and agricultural machinery.
Taiwan president says final tariff negotiations with US yet to come
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan had yet to engage in final negotiations with the US owing to scheduling difficulties and that he was hopeful the final tariff rate would be reduced even further after a final round of talks.
The Trump administration hit Taiwan with 32% tariffs, and lowered it to 20% on Thursday. Taiwan was notified on Thursday by the administration of the lower rate.
“Twenty per cent from the beginning has not been our goal. We hope that in further negotiations we will get a more beneficial and more reasonable tax rate,” he told reporters in Taipei on Friday.
Lai also linked trade talks to security issues, as the US is Taiwan's largest ally even though it does not formally recognise the island. “We want to strengthen US Taiwan cooperation in national security, tech, and multiple areas,” he said Friday.
The US is Taiwan's most important export market and strategic ally, Lai said in an earlier statement Friday morning.
Cambodia prime minister thanks Trump for dropping tariff rate
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his thanks to Trump for the dropping of tariffs from 36% to 19% and he called the reduction “good news” for Cambodia.
Posted on his social media platform, Hun Manet said Trump had not only helped broker a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand forces after nearly a weeklong clash but also helped Cambodia's economy by lowering tariffs.
“This is good news for the people and economy of Cambodia to continue developing the country,” Hun Manet said. (AP) SCY
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