Storyline: U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday setting new "reciprocal tariff" rates on a number of countries and regions, ranging from 10 to 41 percent. The order will take effect in seven days. The decision has drawn swift criticism and concern from key trading partners, including Canada, South Africa, and India, who have vowed to defend their interests while remaining open to dialogue. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that the European Union will enter talks with the United States on steel tariffs. Calling the current tariff agreement as "painful" for the European industries, Merz warned that a full-blown trade war would have no winners, with Europe potentially suffering the most. President of Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter has expressed shock at the newly announced 39 percent tariff rate, which she said nullifies a bilateral trade agreement reached with the U.S. in early July. She warned the tariffs could severely impact Swiss manufacturing and watchmaking industries, with ripple effects threatening the global economy. The Swiss government is urgently seeking solutions. Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on Friday that although several key Brazilian export products have been exempted from tariffs, many unreasonable tariff measures still exist. He said that Brazil would initiate trade negotiations with the U.S. and, if necessary, take the case to U.S. courts and the World Trade Organization. Haddad emphasized Brazil's resolve to defend its sovereignty and economy through both legal and diplomatic channels. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to use all diplomatic means to safeguard national interests. In response to a 30-percent tariff rate, South Africa has submitted a proposed framework to the U.S. aimed at deepening mutually beneficial trade ties. Ramaphosa's office has also revealed plans to introduce support measures for businesses and workers most vulnerable to the tariff impacts. Shotlist: FILE: Ottawa, Canada - Oct 18, 2017: 1. Parliament Hill 2. National flag of Canada FILE: Ottawa, Canada - Date Unknown: 3. Parliament Hill, pedestrians, traffic FILE: Pretoria, South Africa - Aug 2023: 4. National flag of South Africa FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - February, 2025: 5. Aerial shot of cityscape FILE: New Delhi, India - Jan 3, 2022: 6. National flag of India FILE: New Delhi, India - Nov 14, 2022: 7. Pedestrians; national flag of India FILE: New Delhi, India - Jan 3, 2022: 8. National flags of India Brussels, Belgium - July 2025: 9. Various of EU flags, Berlaymont building (headquarters of European Commission), entrance FILE: Bern, Switzerland - Date Unknown: 10. Various of pedestrians, traffic, national flags of Switzerland on parliament building 11. Aerial shot of parliament building, national flag of Switzerland, cityscape FILE: Brasilia, Brazil - April 3, 2024: 12. Presidential Palace of Brazil FILE: Brasilia, Brazil - Date Unknown: 13. Presidential Palace 14. National flag of Brazil FILE: Washington D.C., USA - October 2024: 15. Various of White House 16. Various of Capitol building, U.S. national flag FILE: New York City, USA - Oct 2024: 17. Various of port, Statue of Liberty FILE: Los Angeles, USA - May 2025: 18. Various of Port of Los Angeles [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]