Leading economists sign declaration criticizing US tariff policy: Business Insider

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dozens of leading economists, including two Nobel laureates, have signed a declaration criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy, according to Business Insider, an online news magazine specializing in financial and business news. The declaration, which calls the tariff policy "misguided" and warns it could cause a "self-inflicted recession", had been signed by over 1,000 people as of 08:30 GMT Sunday. It also warns the timeline is narrowing to undo the Trump administration's "incoherent and damaging policies" on trade. The signatories criticized the "reciprocal" tariffs, saying they're calculated using an erroneous formula with no basis in economic reality. However, they still expressed the optimism that sound economic principles, empirical evidence, and the warnings of history will prevail.

Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Italy and Greece on Saturday to protest against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with protesters in Rome, Milan and Athens condemning Washington's actions and calling for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.

In Rome, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched toward the area near the U.S. Embassy, calling on Washington to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Police blocked roads around the embassy to prevent protesters from approaching the building, but demonstrators continued to denounce U.S. actions.

"First of all, we oppose U.S. imperialist aggression. This kind of behavior is shameful. The U.S. is attacking a sovereign country, and as [U.S. President Donald] Trump himself has said, this is for oil interests," said protester Giovanni Barbera.

Saturday's rally marked the second large-scale protest in Rome this month against U.S. military operations in Venezuela, following an earlier one on on Jan 3.

Participants included members of multiple political parties, labor unions and social organizations. The protesters held banners reading "Stop imperialist interference" and "Free Maduro," urging the international community to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and the will of its people, and condemning the U.S. for violating international law.

"We are protesting the way the U.S. handles international politics. Since the events of January 3, we have seen violations of international law, and we are very concerned about how the global situation is developing," said protester Stefano De Angelis.

Organizers said solidarity rallies in support of Venezuela were held in 30 Italian cities on the same day.

Meanwhile, similar protests were also staged in Greece. About 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, voicing support for Venezuela and opposition to U.S. military actions.

"We oppose U.S. imperialism and its attack on Venezuela. At the same time, the U.S. is also threatening Cuba, Mexico and Greenland. We must stand up against this behavior," said Greek protester Argiro Sirmakezi.