A renowned South African scholar has criticized current U.S. tariff policies as "shooting itself in the foot," noting their economic harm, the strain they place on global trade relations, and the erosion of trust.
In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Paul Zilungisele Tembe, founder and director of SELE Encounters at the University of South Africa, warned that these tariffs risk isolating the U.S. as global trade shifts toward new hubs, accelerating de-dollarization and regional integration in emerging markets.
"It's an irony because this hits mostly on the U.S. This is going to cause the prices to go high for consumers in the U.S. We're talking about food. We're talking about manufactured goods, but also the pinch it is going to have on the technological development in the U.S. So, it's like somehow the U.S. is shooting itself in the foot," he said.
Tembe noted that current tariff policies also obstruct the World Trade Organization, further destabilizing global economic cooperation. He emphasized that such protectionism undermines the U.S.'s reputation as a reliable trading partner, accelerates de-dollarization among emerging economies, and hastens the transformation of the global economic and trade order. "What the U.S. created, it has put itself in a very critical position. In that it will have less people trading with it. We are going to see movement of global trade moving away from the so-called western traditional centers to establish other centers. All of those are opting to move away from the dollar, the African [Continental] Free Trade Area. I think it's going to get an impetus to fast track its policies, to fast track its integration. So Africa, including other areas in Southeast Asia, we are going to find a situation whereby we are going to have integration and diversification," he said.
U.S. "shooting itself in the foot" with tariff hikes: scholar
U.S. "shooting itself in the foot" with tariff hikes: scholar
U.S. "shooting itself in the foot" with tariff hikes: scholar
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
