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The proposed tariffs could affect $trillions of imports into the United States, a situation that raises concerns about triggering a global trade war. Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, has stated that the European Union is prepared to retaliate to safeguard its interests, while Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition in the UK, maintains that all options are open in response.
The Trump Administration has positioned these tariffs as a necessary measure to bolster American competitiveness. The President has long claimed that the era of the United States being "ripped off" by other nations is over. He asserts that this policy will reduce trade deficits, protect national security, and, in turn, secure a more favorable standing for American workers and businesses.