The European Commission, China, and other countries have criticized Donald Trump’s decision to impose universal 10% tariffs on all goods entering the US, calling it a "major blow" to the world economy. The European Union has vowed to take countermeasures if negotiations fail, while Italy, Spain, Ireland, and France have also expressed opposition. China has warned of "resolute countermeasures" against the US, while Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Israel have all been hit with tariffs ranging from 17% to 54%. The move is seen as a blow to global trade, with leaders warning of uncertainty, dire consequences, and a possible trade war.

Critics mocked the Trump administration's tariff announcement for including Heard Island and McDonald Islands, uninhabited islands in the Indian Ocean, on its list of reciprocal tariffs. The White House included the islands, which are Australian territory, on the chart despite zero trade coming from them, simply because they were part of the countries listed. This led to ridicule on social media, with some joking that "penguins" had been "ripping off American taxpayers" for years.

New US trade tariffs have been condemned by the European Union and other key allies. The EU's chief Ursula von der Leyen said they would cause "dire" consequences for millions around the globe. In China, President Xi Jinping may see Trump’s tariffs as a gift, portraying his country as a champion of free trade. In Australia, officials are angry over the tariffs. In the UK, the 10% tariff on exports will have significant effects and is causing disruption. Asian economies are among the hardest hit, with Indian electronics exports potentially benefiting from higher tariffs on rivals like Vietnam. African countries, including South Africa, face new tariffs, which may affect existing economic ties.

India's third-largest economy must navigate global trade war tremors triggered by Donald Trump’s tariffs. While India has fared better with a 27% tariff rate compared to Asian peers, it will still impact labor-intensive exports and domestic demand. However, this may lead to export re-routing from Asian peers and opportunities for India. The Indian government must be strategic in navigating the situation, prioritizing trade deal negotiations with the US while expanding export markets beyond the US, such as Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa.