BERLIN: Germany denounced moves by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on US metal imports, saying Europe needed a united response to the threat and echoing criticism from China that it risked undermining the global trade system.
Trump set import tariffs on Thursday of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, to come into force in 15 days, though Washington opened the way to some exemptions the following day after pressure from allies.
“Trump’s policies are putting the order of a free global economy at risk,” German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries told Reuters.
“He does not want to understand its architecture, which is based on a rule-based system of open markets. Anyone, who is questioning this, is jeopardizing prosperity, growth and employment.”
Meanwhile, criticizing Trump's moves, Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said any trade war with the United States would only bring disaster to the world economy. APP/AFP