Trump's tariff turmoil: European press warns of global crisis

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung describes Donald Trump as deliberately fostering disorder through his policy choices and distinctive communication style. He is portrayed as combining individualist and authoritarian traits, introducing tariffs through exceptional legal means and often allowing multiple scenarios to remain unresolved for several days before delivering a sudden decision. According to the newspaper, Trump sees this unpredictability as a demonstration of power, which he believes strengthens the United States’ position in securing more favorable negotiation outcomes.

The newspaper notes that part of Trump's tactic is to attack not just competitors but also long-time partners of the USA, such as the European Union. However, according to the newspaper, this approach could lead to a severe crisis in the USA and worldwide.

"SZ" recalls that the tariffs of the 1930s, praised by Trump, contrary to the US president's claims, only deepened the country's recession, stifled international trade, and contributed to a global economic crisis, which was followed by the outbreak of World War II. "On Wednesday, Donald Trump began an experiment on a scale that is hard to overestimate. If it fails, it could lead the world into catastrophe," the newspaper concludes.

The business newspaper Handelsblatt reports that Trump defends his tariff policies using a highly theoretical and abstract rationale. The publication criticizes this approach as a striking example of economic decision-making that contradicts fundamental logic. Rather than being taken advantage of, the United States is benefiting from its trade relationships, contrary to the president's claims.

Handelsblatt highlights that tariffs obstruct economic progress, drive up inflation, and introduce instability for businesses on both sides of the trade divide. Under Trump's leadership, the situation is even more volatile, as decisions are often issued unpredictably and may later be reversed. This erratic approach, the newspaper notes, severely undermines global confidence in the United States as a trustworthy partner. While the immediate economic consequences are already significant, the long-term effects are potentially limitless. The paper observes that what was once the foremost power in the Western world has become a source of risk for the global economy.

According to the newspaper, the calculations on which the USA bases its tariffs are "completely stretched". The country's trade deficit does not result from the unfair intentions of trade partners but from the fact that the United States consumes more than it produces.

"Handelsblatt" also considers what the EU's reaction to Trump's tariffs should be. "From an economic standpoint, remaining silent would be most sensible. Because, regardless of what retaliatory tariffs the EU imposes, they will be ineffective," it reports. However, from a political standpoint, Europe should, according to the newspaper, send a clear and "deterring" signal, aligned with the principles of the World Trade Organization.

"No later than April 2, even the last American optimist should realize that risk mitigation policy is already necessary against Russia, China and the United States of America," "Handelsblatt" concludes.

The RND editorial network, encompassing numerous regional and local newspapers in Germany, observes that Trump remains fixated on using tariffs. Commentator Karl Doemens argues that the president’s objectives are inconsistent, his economic reasoning is questionable, and the resulting global impact is highly damaging. He calls for Europe to respond decisively, suggesting that strong retaliatory measures are necessary to counterbalance the effects of Trump’s trade strategy.

A commentator from RND characterizes the U.S. president’s introduction of new tariffs as signaling the collapse of the globalization era, arguing that Trump has opted for the most harmful course of action. In trade policy, Trump is portrayed as dismissing advice and believing that tariffs are a universal solution. He views them as a tool to shield domestic industries from foreign competition, generate massive revenue for tax cuts, and serve as strong leverage in diplomatic negotiations. However, the commentary highlights that these aims are fundamentally incompatible—a contradiction the self-proclaimed dealmaker refuses to acknowledge.

According to the author, Europe cannot submit to such "strangulation" of its export economy, and Brussels must significantly increase the pressure through retaliatory measures. "One thing is certain: Trump respects only strong opponents. He will relent (if at all) only when the political price is too high for him," it reports.