German expert urges joint response to trade barriers caused by US tariffs

A German expert urged joint efforts of the international community to remove trade barriers caused by the U.S. unilateral tariff imposition and safeguard free trade.

Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on April 2, imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all trading partners and higher rates on certain countries.

The order took effect on April 5, leaving all imports subject to 10 percent additional tariffs, except as otherwise provided.

The U.S. also imposed an "individualized reciprocal higher tariff" on the countries and regions with which it "has the largest trade deficits".

Bernd Einmeier, an expert with Germany's ThinkTank Networks GmbH and Co. KG, said the U.S. tariff move will not only pose a challenge to the traditional transatlantic partnership, but also cause losses to itself.

"The situation we are currently experiencing in Europe is indeed unprecedented. The transatlantic relationship has never sunk to such a low point. The unilateral global trade war initiated by the United States has seriously undermined the growth of the world economy and is undoubtedly a wrong path. The stock market plunged in response, and the American people have also suffered a lot," he said.

Einmeier said it is the only right path to prosperity and stability for international community to adhere to dialog and cooperation and uphold the principle of free trade.

"We believe that the international community should join hands to address the current situation, and take coordinated actions to eliminate trade barriers caused by the unilateral tariff hikes imposed by the United States, safeguard free trade and ensure the smooth flow of goods. At present, it is urgently needed to restore rationality to free trade," he said.

The U.S. tariffs have sparked widespread criticism from the German media, business and political circles.

As Handelsblatt reported on Saturday, Friedrich Merz, Germany's incoming chancellor , believes that the financial crisis is bound to occur, but the specific time and incentives are not clear.

He said Trump's policies have increased the risk that the next financial crisis will come earlier than expected, and Europe should come up with a viable response.

Merz's conservative block of CDU/CSU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) on Wednesday agreed on a coalition deal to form a new federal government.

Following the coalition agreement, Merz is expected to be elected chancellor next month.

German expert urges joint response to trade barriers caused by US tariffs

German expert urges joint response to trade barriers caused by US tariffs

German expert urges joint response to trade barriers caused by US tariffs

German expert urges joint response to trade barriers caused by US tariffs

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests