US Protests Rise as Tariffs Cause Economic Woes

Protesters have taken to the streets in Washington D.C. and cities across the US, demonstrating against President Donald Trump’s tariffs and their impact on the economy. The protests come as the country grapples with a trade war that has led to higher prices and job losses.

The crowd at the protest is not just made up of young people, but also middle-aged and elderly individuals who have been affected by the tariffs. This suggests that the protesters are drawn from all walks of life, united in their opposition to Trump’s policies.

The US government’s crackdown on international students protesting against Israel’s war on Gaza has also sparked outrage among some Americans. The Trump administration has implemented a policy aimed at deterring dissenting voices, with critics accusing it of stifling free speech and undermining democracy.

As tensions escalate, the global economy is feeling the pinch. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to hold a telephone call with Trump next week to discuss tariffs. Meanwhile, UK and French leaders have discussed tariffs and agreed that they are not in anyone’s interests.

The protests come as the US has begun collecting 10 percent tariffs on imports from many countries. The move is part of a trade war that has been ongoing since 2018, with the US imposing higher tariffs on Chinese goods in response to China’s retaliation against US tariffs.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/4/5/trump-tariffs-live-global-markets-plunge-10-charge-comes-into-force