Nations dismayed over 'reciprocal' US tariffs

BANGKOK (AP) - Sweeping new tariffs announced Wednesday by US President Donald Trump provoked dismay, threats of countermeasures, and calls for further negotiations to make trade rules fairer.

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But responses were measured, highlighting a lack of appetite among key trading partners for an outright trade war with the world's biggest economy.

Trump said the import taxes, ranging from 10 percent to 49 percent, would do to US trading partners what they have long done to the US.

He maintains they will draw factories and jobs back to the United States.

"Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years," he said. "But it is not going to happen anymore." Trump's announcement of a new 20 percent tariff on the European Union drew a sharp rebuke from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said it was a "major blow to the world economy."

"The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe," von der Leyen said. Groceries, transport, and medicines will cost more, she said while visiting Uzbekistan, "And this is hurting, in particular, the most vulnerable citizens."