South African analysts say the "short-sighted" tariff policies enacted by the United States undermine the global trading system and warn it is the American people who will end up paying the price for their government's actions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping tariffs on a wide range of countries since taking office, and earlier this month imposed a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all imports, before unveiling higher rates on certain trading partners.
After triggering days of chaos on the global markets with this announcement, Trump then moved to suspend these higher rates for 90 days on all countries except China -- to whom he doubled down on -- with some Chinese exports now facing tariffs as high as 245 percent.
In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Ayanda Hollow, president of the Pretoria-based TV BRICS Africa, was critical of Trump's approach and said countries around the world should stand up to the U.S. in maintaining their own economic freedom.
"I think the international community needs to realize that the American administration wants to be the center of the universe. We have to retain the sovereignty of our economies, and not let America decide and judge our destinies," he said.
Meanwhile, Gert Grobler, a veteran diplomat who was the former South African ambassador to Spain, Japan, and Madagascar, said that the U.S. actions go against the principles of free trade set out by the World Trade Organization.
"There's a very, very real danger that through this approach by President Trump of basically protectionism, of nationalism, that in the end, the American people are going to pay the price. It is short-sighted, it is an unacceptable policy and it runs against everything that free trade and what the World Trade Organization stands for. I'm afraid that the Americans are probably going to pay a heavy price for these actions," he said.
"Short-sighted" US tariff policies undermine global trading system: S African experts
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.
Protesters rally in Italy, Greece against U.S. military operation in Venezuela
