How countries are reacting to Trump’s latest tariff announcements as deadline looms

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday stateside rejigged the so-called “reciprocal” tariff rates for several countries, ahead of the Friday deadline announced earlier.

The White House also announced a 40% tariff rate for all goods transshipped to the U.S. to avoid the applicable duties.

Countries not listed in the latest order will face an additional duty of 10%. The latest directive modifies tariffs imposed under the earlier executive order issued in April.

Trump in a post on Wednesday said, “THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE IS THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE — IT STANDS STRONG, AND WILL NOT BE EXTENDED. A BIG DAY FOR AMERICA!!!” A White House official, however, told CNBC-TV18 on Friday that “reciprocal” duties would take effect from Aug. 7.

Here are reactions to Trump’s latest tariff announcements from countries around the world as the clock ticks down to an uncertain deadline.

“This is a good news for the citizens and economy of Cambodia to continue developing the country,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Friday after the revised table of tariffs was released.

Cambodia now faces 19% duties, a massive cut from the “Liberation Day” tariff level of 49% — which were among the highest rates announced on April 2.

Manet also thanked Trump for “initiating and pushing for ceasefire between [the] Cambodian army and Thai army.” The two countries were involved in a border conflict last week.

Thailand’s Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said in a post on X that the tariff rate levied on the country “reflects the close friendship and partnership between Thailand and the United States,” according to a Google translation of his statement in Thai. The country faces 19% tariffs on exports to the U.S, lower than the original 36%.

Chunhavajira added that the announced tariff helps Thailand remain competitive on the global stage, builds investor confidence and allows economic growth.

However, he said that the government recognizes the impact of the tariffs on entrepreneurs and farmers, and has prepared “comprehensive support measures,” including soft loans, subsidies, and tax measures so as to help Thailand adapt.

Taiwan has been hit with a 20% “temporary tariff,” President Lai Ching-te said on his Facebook page, adding that negotiations were still ongoing.

This is lower than the 32% rate announced on April 2. “If an agreement is reached, it can be expected that the tariff rate will be further reduced,” Lai wrote on Friday.

Taiwan will also discuss supply chain cooperation and issues related to Section 232 in the future, he added, referring to the sectoral tariffs that Trump had imposed on national security grounds.

Before the executive order, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told the country’s parliament that “Tomorrow’s [Aug. 1] general tariff rate will ease and not burden our economy,” according to a CNBC translation of his speech in Malay

He also confirmed that Trump would be attending the 47th ASEAN summit in October, being held in Malaysia. The U.S. President attended only one ASEAN Summit in his first term.

Asia’s second-largest economy had struck a deal with Trump that brought tariffs on Japanese exports down to 15% from 25%, on July 23. The agreement also slashed duties on the country’s critical automobile sector down to 15%.

In a press conference on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the new tariff rates “will reduce uncertainty regarding U.S. trade policy and lower the risk of a downturn in our economy and the global economy,” national broadcaster NHK reported.

Japan will continue to urge the U.S. to sign the presidential order to bring auto tariffs down as soon as possible, Hayashi added, according to a Google translation of his speech in Japanese.

He also said the country will “do everything we can” to mitigate the tariff impact, including supporting the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises.

On Thursday, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goel told the country’s parliament that the country has been negotiating with the U.S. for a trade agreement by October-November this year, according to a CNBC translation of his speech in Hindi.

He added that the government gives great importance to protecting farmers, entrepreneurs, and medium and small enterprises, and will take all needed steps to safeguard its national interest.

Don Farrell, Australia’s trade minister, reportedly hailed this as a “vindication” for the government, adding that the country had conducted diplomacy with the U.S. in a “cool and calm” way.

“What this decision means in conjunction with all of the other changes to other countries is that Australian products are now more competitive into the American market,” he said, according to a Reuters report. 

Speaking to local media, the country’s Trade Minister Todd McClay said it seemed as though the tariff rates were targeting countries that have trade deficits with the U.S., but that the size of it was “really not significant or meaningful” in New Zealand’s case.

“Many of the exporters are saying they have been able to absorb the 10 percent, or in many cases pass it on, but at 15 percent it is going to start having a greater effect on our exporters,” he said. McClay said talks with the U.S. would continue, and that he would push for a lower tariff.

Cecilie Myrseth, Norway’s minister of trade and industry, on Friday suggested to local media that talks with the U.S. so far have been constructive yet difficult, according to a Google-translation. The goal remained, however, for the two countries to come to an agreement, she said.

On social media platform X, the country’s federal council, said it noted “with great regret that, despite the progress made in bilateral talks and Switzerland’s very constructive stance from the outset, the US intends to impose unilateral additional tariffs on imports from Switzerland.”

“Switzerland has been and remains in contact with the relevant US authorities. It continues to seek a negotiated solution with the US,” the council added, noting that it would now assess the situation and decide on next steps.

In a statement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the country was “disappointed” by the U.S. increasing tariffs. “While we will continue to negotiate with the United States on our trading relationship, the Canadian government is laser focused on what we can control: building Canada strong,” he said.

Carney also pushed back against the U.S. justifying higher tariffs with cross-border drug flows — an argument Trump has repeatedly made.

In a statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed “concern” about the tariffs, saying South Africa would continue negotiations with the U.S.

“[The] government has been engaging the United States, and has submitted a Framework Deal that aims to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. All channels of communication remain open to engage with the US and our negotiators are ready pending invitation from the US,” Ramaphosa said.

A support package for companies, producers and workers affected by the duties was also being finalized, the South African leader added.