Lukashenko on Trump’s trade war: we have to wait and see what happens tomorrow, Donald may back down

In an interview with the Mir Interstate Television and Radio Company, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on the situation around the increase in US tariffs and the resulting trade war, BelTA reports

One of the questions posed to the Belarusian leader concerned the trade war that has broken out in the global market due to the decision of US President Donald Trump to significantly increase duties for a number of countries.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he is alarmed by the US President’s statements. “Vladimir Vladimirovich and I have been talking on this issue, I’m also expressing my point of view to him and trying to somehow bring him to my side in this regard, that we need to wait and see [Trump’s actions and what happens in the US],” the Belarusian leader noted.

“Are you convinced that what Donald said would happen? He already said yesterday that he is willing to negotiate with China or somebody else to make a deal on tariffs. So they’re willing to back down as well,” the President pointed out. “Obviously, Donald Trump thought about it, looked at it and decided that it was a bit harsh and that perhaps it is first necessary to calculate everything and then back down somewhere. After all, from the economic point of view, Trump’s decision looks illogical,” Aleksandr Lukashenko explained. “But, on the other hand, we should wait and see what will come out of it.”

The US economy is, of course, one of the world’s leading economies and accounts for a significant share of global GDP. However, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that this does not guarantee its sustainability in the face of increased import tariffs for so many countries.

Trump’s list includes countries that account for a significant proportion of global GDP. “They also declared war on 75 percent of the countries in terms of GDP: Japan, the European Union, etc., claiming that the US can handle itself. Maybe they can cope today, producing their goods to support 300 million people and printing US Dollars. And what will happen tomorrow?” the Head of State asked.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, he calmly observes what is happening. “Why should we and Russia be worried? So many duties and sanctions have already been imposed against us that there is nowhere else to go. And we have resisted, we have survived,” the President stressed. Aleksandr Lukashenko is sure that the same approach should be followed in the future, especially in relation to proposals and promises made by Western partners. “If we go this way, we won’t take their word for it... ‘You give us 30 days of silence at the front, you give us that...’ And then nothing in return. What can we talk about? We don’t want to be deceived once again,” the Head of State explained. “For now, we need to strengthen our own.”