Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered across cities in the United States and Europe on Saturday, voicing their opposition to President Donald Trump’s controversial policies, including new tariffs, government shutdowns, and immigration reforms.
In the United States, approximately 600,000 people participated in over 1,400 protests across all 50 states under the banner “Hands Off”, according to organizers. The demonstrations were coordinated by a coalition of more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, and veterans’ associations.
“This peaceful movement is powered by everyday people—nurses, teachers, students, parents—who are rising up to protect what matters most. We are united, we are relentless, and we are just getting started,” said Rahna Epting, executive director of activist group MoveOn.
“We’re here fighting for the soul of America,” Angela C., a protester in Los Angeles, told reporters. “Do we remain the guiding light for progress, compassion, and fairness in the world as our founding fathers dreamed of? Or do we follow Trump to become another bully exploiting other countries?”
Elected officials joined the campaign as well. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu expressed concerns about a world “where threats and intimidation are the means of government and values such as diversity and peace are under attack.”
In response to the protests, the White House issued a statement asserting that “President Trump will not be deterred from delivering on the promises he made to make our federal government more efficient and more accountable to the hardworking American taxpayers across the country who overwhelmingly re-elected him,” according to USA Today.
Protests also erupted in European cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris, London, and Lisbon. In Berlin, hundreds gathered outside a Tesla showroom to protest against Tesla’s owner, Elon Musk—a close ally of President Trump. In London, protesters rallied at Trafalgar Square, holding signs reading “Proud American Ashamed” and chanting slogans like “Hands off Canada” and “Hands off Greenland.”
The European demonstrations came just days after President Trump imposed a 20% “reciprocal” tariff on European Union imports. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended his first NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels earlier this week, which was widely viewed as an effort to manage transatlantic tensions ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit in June.
Worldwide Backlash
According to a White House statement, the United States will impose a 10% “minimum baseline tariff” on all imports starting April 5. An “individualized reciprocal higher tariff” will take effect on April 9 for countries and regions with which the U.S. has significant trade deficits. The move has sparked global backlash.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed deep regret over the U.S. decision, calling it “a major blow to the world economy.” She warned that “uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism,” with dire consequences for millions worldwide.
On social media platform X, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukas Vlcek called the new tariffs a “mistake.” Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament, labeled April 2—the day of the tariff announcement—as “resentment day.”
“Donald Trump’s tariffs don’t defend fair trade. They attack it out of fear and hurt both sides of the Atlantic,” Weber said.
British Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds expressed disappointment over the additional tariffs, noting that the 10% tariff is not a “fair reflection of how we currently trade.”
In Asia, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi voiced “serious concern” about the U.S. decision, stating that the tariffs could have a “big negative impact” on the global economy and the multilateral trade system.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, serving as acting president following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, told an emergency economic security meeting in Seoul, “As the global tariff war is becoming a reality, the government should pour out all of its capabilities to overcome a trade crisis.”
In China, officials described the tariffs as “a tool of extreme pressure for selfish gain.” According to a government statement, the United States is engaging in zero-sum games under the guise of pursuing “reciprocity” and “fairness,” essentially seeking “America First” and “American exceptionalism.”
