The day has come. The world remains nervous and expectant about Trump's announcement, who will reveal the new set of tariffs that will intensify the trade war that the Republican started when he arrived at the White House in January. The President of the United States has called it the 'Day of Liberation'.
During his second term, Trump has increased tariffs on products from China, a portion from Mexico and Canada, his partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement (T-MEC), and on steel and aluminum regardless of their origin.
"Do they want to avoid the tariffs? Then they should set up in the United States," Trump replies to those who criticize the impact they may have on companies. However, critics also argue that the pockets of American consumers will suffer as importers raise prices. It is also not ruled out that they may increase the risk of a recession in the world's largest economy and others.
Cuerpo sees the agreement with Mercosur as key to reducing the impact of the tariff war
The Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, has considered it "extremely important" for the European Union to ratify the free trade agreement with Mercosur, as it will be crucial to "diversify and reduce the potential impact of protectionist measures that may be imposed," reports Efe.
Sealing this agreement will also allow Spain and Europe to advance in relations in terms of strategic security or autonomy, in addition to strengthening commercial ties, Cuerpo said at a press breakfast organized by Europa Press.
On the day the United States is going to announce "reciprocal tariffs" worldwide and that President Donald Trump has dubbed "Liberation Day," the minister has insisted that Europe has the necessary tools to respond and is prepared to do so "decisively, united, and, of course, also proportionally."
Trump criticizes Republican senators opposed to imposing tariffs on Canada
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, criticized four senators from his party, the Republican Party, on Wednesday and accused them of being "disloyal" for not immediately joining the increase in tariffs on Canada ordered by the Government, reports Efe.
In a message posted early this morning on his Truth Social network, Trump mentioned Republican senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky; Susan Collins of Maine; Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Senate Democrats, who are in the minority, are trying to gather the votes of Republicans who oppose the president, forcing a vote to overturn the emergency declaration that Trump has decreed to approve tariffs on Canada.
Ibex 35 opens with a 0.22% drop and nears 13,300 points on 'Liberation Day'
The Ibex 35 started the session on Wednesday with a 0.22% drop, leading the Madrid stock index to stand at 13,268.2 points around 9:00 AM, on a day when investors will be watching for announcements of tariffs by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on 'Liberation Day,' reports Europa Press.
Minutes after the stock market opening, the main Spanish market indicator turned around, reaching 13,310.5 points (+0.12%).
Boric criticizes Trump's tariffs in India
The President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, criticized on Wednesday in New Delhi the unilateral imposition of tariffs by the United States, warning that these measures challenge mutually agreed rules and fundamental principles of international trade, reports Efe.
"Tonight we will have announcements that who knows what conditions they may generate for some countries," said the Chilean president during the India-Chile Forum, taking place in New Delhi, with entrepreneurs and ministers from both countries.
His comment is a reaction to the deadline set by the United States for the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on its trading partners, set for today, April 2. President Donald Trump has called this date the "Day of Liberation," insisting that the tariffs will free the United States from its dependence on foreign products.
Tokyo Stock Exchange opens volatile awaiting Trump's detailed tariff plan
The main index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Nikkei, opened trading on Wednesday volatile, hours before the U.S. President, Donald Trump, announces the details of his 'reciprocal tariffs' and the entry into force of additional tariffs on automobiles from midnight in the U.S., reports Efe.
The Nikkei, which includes the 225 most representative stocks in the market, opened with a 0.36% increase, but after the initial moments, it turned red, and after the first hour, it was down by 0.44% or 155.52 points, hovering at 35,468.96 points.
The broader Topix index, which includes the main section firms, those with the largest capitalization, was down by 1.05% or 28.00 points, standing at 2,633.73 units.
Walmart insists that Chinese suppliers bear Trump's tariffs
The world's largest retail chain, the American Walmart, continues to pressure its Chinese suppliers to lower their prices and thus mitigate the impact of the tariffs announced by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, despite complaints lodged by Beijing, reports Efe.
According to sources cited today by Bloomberg, Walmart has not changed its stance and continues to demand that its suppliers in the Asian country reduce their prices by up to 10% for each round of tariffs, effectively making them bear the cost of the fees imposed by Trump since his return to the White House.
The Ministry of Commerce summoned executives of the American firm in March to address the issue, while a CCTV state television account on social media posed a much more direct threat: "If Walmart insists on this approach, the consequences could go beyond a simple meeting."
The White House reiterates that tariffs "will take effect immediately"
The White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, reiterated that the new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump "will take effect immediately" and asked Americans for patience in the face of the expected price increases. "It will work," she said, reports Europa Press.
Leavitt acknowledged that while consumer concerns are "legitimate," she emphasized that Trump's plan aims to "protect future generations" and ensure that in the United States, it is possible to "live the American dream."
Mexico lowers growth forecast in 2025 between 1.5% and 2.3% due to Trump's tariffs
The Government of Mexico updated its economic growth estimate for 2025 to a range of 1.5% and 2.3% on Tuesday, due to "uncertainty about U.S. trade policy," a day before President Donald Trump announces a new round of tariffs, reports Efe.
"The downward revision for 2025 growth responds to less dynamism in residential investment and the persistence of supply shocks since the end of last year. Also, business caution due to uncertainty about U.S. trade policy influences," said the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) in a statement.
Last November, the official budget for 2025, the first year of President Claudia Sheinbaum, was based on a growth of between 2 and 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Sánchez meets today with business leaders and unions at Moncloa in the context of tariffs
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, meets on Wednesday afternoon with representatives of business leaders and unions at the Moncloa complex to analyze the current geopolitical situation in the context of the tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, reiterated last Tuesday that the new tariffs announced by Trump for Wednesday "will take effect immediately" and asked Americans for patience in the face of the expected price increases.
Meanwhile, Sánchez announced last week that the Government is preparing a contingency plan to help sectors that could be affected by U.S. tariffs, insisting that a trade war is not desirable but Brussels, which has trade competencies, will provide the necessary response.