Trump's tariffs threat on EU exports triggers fierce backlash

China

Trump's tariffs threat on EU exports triggers fierce backlash

2025-07-14 11:57 Last Updated At：16:17

U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on Saturday of sweeping 30 percent tariffs on European Union (EU) exports has provoked a fierce backlash across the bloc, with national leaders and officials demanding an immediate response and warning that the escalation of tariffs will lead to a lose-lose situation.

Following the announcement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that the EU will delay the implementation of its trade countermeasures against the United States until early August to allow more time for negotiations.

This decision has sparked doubts within the EU.

In a social media post on Sunday, Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, described the U.S. announcement as "both impertinent and a slap in the face" after weeks of negotiations.

He added that Trump wants to achieve even more than he has been offered in the negotiations so far.

He urged the EU to begin retaliatory measures on Monday as scheduled, stating that "the period of waiting is over."

On the same day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the 30 percent tariffs would "hit the German export industry to the core". Merz also expressed commitment to finding a solution before August 1.

In a statement on Sunday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that a trade war within the West would make them all weaker in the face of the global challenges they are addressing together.

Meanwhile, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot posted on social media that the tariff escalation would lead to a lose-lose outcome, emphasizing that the U.S. trade aggression against its European allies is unjustified.

Top political advisor meets with Chinese Taoist delegates

China's top political advisor Wang Huning has met with delegates attending the 11th national congress of the Taoist Association of China, which was held on Monday and Tuesday in Beijing.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, stressed the importance of implementing the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, and of guiding followers and key figures of Taoism to contribute to the country's modernization drive.

Wang urged the association to exercise full and rigorous governance over the religion, intensify efforts to raise awareness of the rule of law, and foster an image of a Taoist community that is patriotic and devoted to the faith, maintains good conduct, abides by the law, and upholds Taoist precepts.

He encouraged the association to cultivate talent proficient in both canonical teachings and fine traditional Chinese culture, and to expand global exchange in Taoism.

At the national congress, the association adopted a revised charter, as well as a set of religious rules and regulations, and elected new leadership.