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Agadir – International reactions have intensified following the decision of US President Donald Trump to impose a new 15% global tariff on all imports, a move his administration announced after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down his previous global tariffs policy.
“I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of which have been ‘ripping’ the U.S. off for decades, without retribution (until I came along!), to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday.
Trump is imposing the new tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which differs from the law that the president used for the prior tariff struck down by the Supreme Court. The law allows the president to put in place a “temporary import surcharge” for a period of 150 days, when Congress can decide whether to extend the order or amend.
‘Pure tariff chaos’
European officials responded with concern, warning that recently negotiated trade arrangements could be undermined.
Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, described the situation as “pure tariff chaos from the US administration.”
“No one can make sense of it anymore — only open questions and growing uncertainty for the EU and other U.S. trading partners,” he added.
Meanwhile, French Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier signaled potential countermeasures, urging EU members to adopt a united approach against the White House’s new trade position.
Rising economic concerns
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, warned to CBS News that business relations could suffer without clearer guidance.
“It’s critically important that all people in the trade, both outside of the United States, but also in the United States, have clarity about the future of the relationships,” she said on a CBS broadcast show.
“It’s a bit like driving. You want to know the rules of the road before you get in the car. It’s the same with trade.”
Global market reaction
International markets reacted with noticeable volatility after Trump’s tariff announcement.
According to Reuters, European markets opened lower on February 23, as investors assessed the implications of renewed trade uncertainty.
The pan-European STOXX Europe 600 index fell approximately 0.27%, with Germany’s DAX recorded larger losses of around 0.4%, leading declines among major regional indexes.
The same source suggested that many technology and industrial companies were among the notable decliners, while banks, considered less exposed to global trade, showed resilience, and volatility indexes rose alongside investor nervousness.
In addition, gold and other precious metals increased in value, as investors moved toward assets traditionally viewed as safer during periods of instability. Gold rose by roughly 1% to 1.2%, while silver also posted gains, indicating a broader shift toward defensive positioning.
