British media slams US protectionist trade policy

LONDON - As finance ministers from six of the G7 members have condemned US protectionist trade policy, the London-based major daily newspapers on Monday lashed out at the American government's decision to impose tariffs on some countries, including its European allies.

While reporting the G7 criticism of Donald Trump administration's decision, the British media also carried stories and articles to slam the protectionist move, demanding strong government response.

US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU), Canada and Mexico took effect on June 1. Trump has decided not to extend the temporary steel and aluminum tariff exemptions for these three key trading partners. The move followed earlier metals tariffs on countries around the world.

In March, the US president announced plans to impose a 25-percent tariff on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum, while delaying their implementation to allow some trading partners time to offer concessions.

"Trump's trade war demands a robust response," said the headline of an article on the comment page of The Times newspaper on Monday.

"Nothing in Mr. Trump's career or character provides any indication that he believes in mutual advantage," said the article by Alex Massie, a Scottish freelance journalist commentator. "On the contrary, in his opinion any deal that leaves both parties happy must be a bad deal."

In another story from Washington, The Times ran with the headline, "G7 attacks Trump plan for tariffs that 'put US economy in jeopardy.'"

"The EU must respond to Trump's trade offensive," read the title of another opinion piece published by the Financial Times newspaper.

"Donald Trump is not consistent on many things. But he is consistently protectionist," the newspaper said. "US allies must realise this -- and dare to prove he is wrong."

"The EU and other allies need to retaliate in a proportionate, but forceful, manner," it added.

Brussels said that it would impose counter-tariffs on a "hit list" of American goods including Kentucky bourbon and Harley-Davidson motorbikes.

Meanwhile, the Guardian newspaper carried an analysis, saying that "Trump's trade war is a sign of weakness" and "it can only speed US decline."

"His solutions seem bizarre," said the piece.