A day after the commercial earthquake caused by the new tariffs, Donald Trump stated in a conversation with reporters accompanying him on Air Force One that he would be open to negotiating them with other countries, depending on whether they had something "phenomenal" to offer in return, as reported by AP.
Despite the widespread stock market declines worldwide, the president offered an optimistic assessment of the market's reaction, comparing the United States to a sick patient in need of surgery. "I think it's going very well. It's like when a patient needs surgery, and it's something big. I said this would be exactly like that," he commented.
Meanwhile, the stock markets continue to feel the commercial earthquake following the losses recorded on Thursday on Wall Street, where its main index, the Dow Jones, saw its worst one-day drop since June 2020. Asian indices have recorded losses for the second consecutive day. The Nikkei, which dropped as much as 4.24%, ultimately fell by 2.75% this Friday.
On the other hand, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, warned that tariffs pose a "significant risk" to economic growth and urged the United States and its partners to "work constructively to resolve trade tensions and reduce uncertainty."
Canada: "The Relationship Will Never Be the Same"
"We know that the relationship will never be the same. And that is my message to the Europeans: the relationship with the United States will never be the same," said Canada's Foreign Minister, Mélanie Joly, upon arriving for the second day of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting.
Joly believes that Donald Trump's goal is to "globally reset trade." She emphasized that Canada is "the largest customer of the U.S. by far," as it "buys more from the United States than from the United Kingdom, France, China, and Japan combined." "So, for anyone who has been in business before, when you treat your customer, your best customer, the way we have been treated, it means you fundamentally want to change the way you are operating," she commented.
Joly stated that they believe Trump "is making decisions for his own administration and his own people," and in response, she pointed out that Canada has imposed countermeasures on the United States worth $60 billion, to which more tariffs on U.S. vehicles were added on Thursday. In her opinion, this response is "the best way to reach a good agreement."
Vietnam Calls for Negotiating 46% Tariffs
The Government of Vietnam indicated on Friday that it has requested the United States to postpone the 46% tariffs on its exports and to open negotiations. Vietnam is among the countries with the highest tariff rates, at 46%, along with Cambodia (49%), Laos (48%), and Madagascar (47%), among other nations, which will come into effect starting April 9.
"The Ministry of Industry and Trade believes that there is still room for discussion and negotiation between both parties to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome," the Hanoi Government stated on its website, as reported by Efe.
The Vietnamese government has requested a phone call between its Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Hong Dien, and the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, "as soon as possible."
UK Emphasizes Not Ruling Out Any Option
The UK Foreign Minister, David Lammy, reiterated on Friday that his country is committed to negotiating with the United States regarding the tariffs imposed on all its partners, although it does not rule out any option to defend British national interests.
"We have made it absolutely clear that all options are on the table as we look out for the national interests of the British people, who will be very concerned right now about how this affects their bottom line and their economic well-being," Lammy stated upon arriving at a NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting, as reported by Efe.
Lammy made it clear that they will put "national interests first" and that "it is in the national interest to be negotiating with the United States an economic agreement at this time, but keeping all options on the table."
France Advocates for a "Proportional" Response to Tariffs
The French Minister of Economy and Finance, Eric Lombard, argued on Friday that the European Union should propose to the United States "a response that must be proportional" and allow the parties to sit down at the negotiation table.
In statements to the BFMTV radio station, Lombard pointed out that Donald Trump's usual attitude "is that of a negotiator" who has put forward an aggressive proposal to which the EU will respond.
Nikkei Plunges Nearly 3%
The main index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Nikkei, fell by 2.75% this Friday, dragged down once again by the announcement of "reciprocal tariffs" by U.S. President Donald Trump on countries worldwide and a 24% tariff on Japan.
During the session, the index dropped by as much as 4.24%, trading at 33,259 points, its lowest level since early August of last year.
However, in the final minutes of trading in Tokyo, the Nikkei was down by 2.75%, trading at 33,780.58 basis points, after having declined by 2.77% on Thursday.
Spanish Stock Market Opens with a 0.90% Decline, Losing the 13,100 Points Mark
The Spanish stock market opened lower this Friday, with a 0.90% decline and below the 13,100 points mark, in another red session following the tariffs announced by Donald Trump, who today stated that he is willing to negotiate them if the offers are "phenomenal."
In this context, where the market will also be watching the U.S. employment data today and the appearance of the U.S. Federal Reserve President, Jerome Powell, the IBEX 35, the main Spanish index, is down by 0.90%, to 13,073.3 points. Year-to-date gains are reduced to 12.81%.
Milei Will Implement Reforms to Comply with Trump's "Requirements"
The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, announced on Thursday during a gala at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's private residence in Florida, that he will promote reforms to meet the "requirements" of the U.S. President regarding tariffs.
"Argentina will move forward to readjust the regulations so that we comply with the reciprocal tariffs proposal put forward by President Donald Trump," he announced during a speech reported by Efe.
Milei, a staunch ally of Trump, explained that he will seek the "harmonization of tariffs on a basket of about 50 products to flow more freely" between Argentina and the United States.
Cuerpo Continues Meetings with Parliamentary Groups Today
The Minister of Economy, Trade, and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, continues on Friday with the round of meetings at the Ministry with the spokespersons of the parliamentary groups following the tariffs announced by Trump.
Specifically, the minister will start Friday's round with Gabriel Rufián (ERC) and continue with Verónica Martínez (Sumar), Maribel Vaquero and Idoia Sagastizaba (PNV), Miriam Nogueras (Junts), Néstor Rego (BNG), and Cristina Valido (Coalición Canarias). Meetings with the rest of the groups are scheduled to continue on Monday.
Cuerpo began the meetings with the groups yesterday after meeting with the Popular Party, but he does not plan to meet with Vox due to the "sanitary cordon" established by the Government towards the party of Santiago Abascal.