QUOTES-Executives, trade and labour associations on Trump's reciprocal tariffs

(Adds quotes from Maersk, Gerresheimer, Prysmian, Hydro, UGVC, NCBA, ACEA)
Trading partners are expected to respond with countermeasures that could lead to dramatically higher prices for everything from bicycles to wine.
Trump has already imposed 25% levies on autos and car parts.
Here are some of the reactions from company executives, trade and labour associations:
COMPANIES
DANISH SHIPPING GIANT MAERSK
"We generally expect customers to be a bit more cautious about their inventory levels. In the very short term, we're likely to see some rush air freight orders in the U.S. ahead of the announced tariffs going into effect. It is also likely we will see an increase in demand for bonded storage as customers will want to hold off clearing goods while they get more certainty."
GERMAN PACKAGING AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MAKE GERRESHEIMER
"The tariffs primarily affect our exports from our plant in
"With our production network in the U.S., there are also business opportunities for us from pharmaceutical companies that increasingly want to produce and source locally in the U.S."
"On first reaction, the announcement appears to have a positive impact on local production. The tariffs will be applied to finished products, and therefore removes the risk that U.S. production could have been undercut from abroad. With 30 factories across the U.S. and as the market leader we are best placed to strengthen our leadership position."
NORWEGIAN ALUMINIUM PRODUCER HYDRO
"We are working actively both from
"We're also using our network and have our people on the ground in the U.S. working hard in dialogue with the U.S. administration to understand the effects of the tariffs."
"We will produce and try to sell locally ... That's the key strategy with the tariffs."
ASSOCIATIONS AND WORKERS
"One could have feared much higher tariffs, but this risk is not off the table and remains
with a potential conflict over bourbon whiskey. We already face tariffs in
"President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers
overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef. NCBA will continue engaging with
the
"European automakers are committed to being active in the U.S., making an important contribution to the U.S. economy, accounting for around half a million jobs across the auto sector, exporting over 750,000 vehicles to the U.S. in 2024, and actively investing in local communities to foster economic prosperity."
"We urge our leaders to meet urgently so that they can find a solution to any issues preventing free and fair trade between historic allies and allow the EU-US relationship to flourish once again."
SWISS BUSINESS GROUP ECONOMIESUISSE
"A further escalation of the trade conflict must be prevented.
"We will have to pass these tariffs on as price increases, and that will hit turnover in many cases ... This is an economic blind alley at whose end lie welfare losses for both sides of the Atlantic."
GIOVANNA CEOLINI, HEAD OF CONFINDUSTRIA ACCESSORI MODA REPRESENTING ITALIAN FOOTWEAR, LEATHER, FUR AND TANNERY INDUSTRIES
"We are afraid that for our companies there will be a slowdown (in demand), it will depend on whether Americans are willing to pay a little more (for our goods)."
"The justification for this protectionist escalation is incomprehensible. It threatens our export-oriented companies and endangers prosperity, stability, jobs, innovation and investment worldwide."
"The EU must now strengthen its alliances with other major trading partners and should coordinate its response with them. A coordinated response is also needed to counter changed flows in international trade."
"Broad-based tariffs of this nature would act much as an excise tax. R&D spending would likely be the first and most direct casualty, threatening America's medtech innovation leadership. Tariffs will cost U.S. jobs, increase costs to the health care system and harm future medical progress."
"These are things that we've been preaching for years, while we watched all of our factories
get hollowed out, while we watched all of our capabilities get hollowed out, and to actually see
a president address that and use some of the same words and thoughts that I've used was just
incredible."
(Reporting by
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