-
New prime minister inspires little hope in protest-hit Madagascar
-
Is Trump planning something big against Venezuela's Maduro?
-
EU wants to crack down on 'conversion therapy'
-
French sex offender Pelicot says man who abused ex-wife knew she was asleep
-
Trump says 'real chance' to end Gaza war as Israel marks Oct 7 anniversary
-
UK prosecutors to appeal dropped 'terrorism' case against Kneecap rapper
-
Spain, Inter Miami star Alba retiring at end of season
-
EU targets foreign steel to rescue struggling sector
-
Trump talks up Canada deal chances with visiting PM
-
Knight rides her luck as England survive Bangladesh scare
-
Pro-Gaza protests flare in UK on anniversary of Hamas attack
-
Top rugby unions warn players against joining rebel R360 competition
-
Outcast Willis 'not overthinking' England absence despite Top 14 clean sweep
-
Trump says 'real chance' of Gaza peace deal
-
Macron urged to quit to end France political crisis
-
No.1 Scheffler seeks three-peat at World Challenge
-
Canadian PM visits Trump in bid to ease tariffs
-
Stocks falter, gold shines as traders weigh political turmoil
-
Senators accuse US attorney general of politicizing justice
-
LeBron's 'decision of all decisions' a PR stunt
-
Observing quantum weirdness in our world: Nobel physics explained
-
WTO hikes 2025 trade growth outlook but tariffs to bite in 2026
-
US Supreme Court hears challenge to 'conversion therapy' ban for minors
-
Italy's Gattuso expresses Gaza heartache ahead of World Cup qualifier with Israel
-
EU targets foreign steel to shield struggling sector
-
Djokovic vanquishes exhaustion to push through to Shanghai quarterfinals
-
Stocks, gold rise as investors weigh AI boom, political turmoil
-
Swiatek coasts through Wuhan debut while heat wilts players
-
Denmark's Rune calls for heat rule at Shanghai Masters
-
Japanese football official sentenced for viewing child sexual abuse images
-
'Veggie burgers' face grilling in EU parliament
-
Trio wins physics Nobel for quantum mechanical tunnelling
-
Two years after Hamas attack, Israelis mourn at Nova massacre site
-
German factory orders drop in new blow to Merz
-
Man City star Stones considered retiring after injury woes
-
Kane could extend Bayern stay as interest in Premier League cools
-
Renewables overtake coal but growth slows: reports
-
Extreme rains hit India's premier Darjeeling tea estates
-
Raducanu retires from opening match in Wuhan heat with dizziness
-
UK's Starmer condemns pro-Palestinian protests on Oct 7 anniversary
-
Tokyo stocks hit new record as markets extend global rally
-
Japan's Takaichi eyes expanding coalition, reports say
-
Canadian PM to visit White House to talk tariffs
-
Indonesia school collapse toll hits 67 as search ends
-
Dodgers hold off Phillies, Brewers on the brink
-
Lawrence sparks Jaguars over Chiefs in NFL thriller
-
EU channels Trump with tariffs to shield steel sector
-
Labuschagne out as Renshaw returns to Australia squad for India ODIs
-
Open AI's Fidji Simo says AI investment frenzy 'new normal,' not bubble
-
Tokyo stocks hit new record as Asian markets extend global rally
CMSC | -0.08% | 23.781 | $ | |
AZN | 0.45% | 85.875 | $ | |
GSK | -0.06% | 43.425 | $ | |
SCS | -0.59% | 16.88 | $ | |
BCE | 0.32% | 23.265 | $ | |
BTI | 1.61% | 52.015 | $ | |
BCC | -0.93% | 74.49 | $ | |
NGG | 0.03% | 73.925 | $ | |
RIO | -1.02% | 66.305 | $ | |
BP | 0.2% | 34.9 | $ | |
JRI | -0.78% | 14.07 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.08% | 24.42 | $ | |
RYCEF | -1.03% | 15.54 | $ | |
VOD | -0.31% | 11.255 | $ | |
RELX | -2.27% | 45.38 | $ | |
RBGPF | 0% | 78.22 | $ |
Rebellion against Trump: "Ready for War?"
Donald Trump’s re-ascension to the U.S. presidency in January 2025 has sparked a series of protests and statements of defiance across multiple continents, with some activists and commentators adopting the provocative slogan, "We are ready for war." While the phrase has gained traction among certain groups, it remains a symbolic expression of opposition rather than a literal call to arms, rooted in concerns over Trump’s policies and their global implications.
The unrest began shortly after Trump’s inauguration on 20 January 2025, when he reinstated his "America First" doctrine, announcing plans to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time and impose tariffs on European and Chinese goods. In response, demonstrations erupted in several major cities. On 25 January, an estimated 10,000 people gathered in Paris, according to French police figures, where activist Élise Moreau, a known figure in the climate movement, coined the phrase "We are ready for war" during a speech outside the U.S. Embassy. Moreau clarified in a later interview with Le Monde that her words were metaphorical, intended to signify "a battle of ideas and values" against what she called Trump’s "anti-globalist agenda."
In Europe, the backlash has been particularly pronounced. On 3 February, Berlin saw a protest of 8,000 people, per German authorities, with banners reading "Nein zu Trump" ("No to Trump") and demands for the European Union to strengthen its autonomy from U.S. influence. The German Foreign Ministry issued a statement on 5 February, expressing "concern" over Trump’s proposed NATO funding cuts, which he reiterated in a speech on 1 February in Florida, threatening to reduce U.S. contributions unless allies increased their defence spending.
Across the Channel, the United Kingdom has also witnessed dissent. On 10 March, approximately 5,000 protesters marched through London, according to Metropolitan Police estimates, organised by a coalition of environmental and human rights groups. Labour MP Zara Khan addressed the crowd, criticising Trump’s tariff threats, which the UK Treasury warned could cost British exporters £2 billion annually based on 2024 trade data. Khan called for "resolute opposition" but avoided endorsing the "war" rhetoric directly.
In Asia, reactions have been more restrained but no less significant. South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "deep unease" on 15 February after Trump suggested renegotiating the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, a move analysts say could disrupt Seoul’s economy, which exported $84 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2024, per Korea Customs Service data. Meanwhile, in Japan, a small demonstration of 300 people occurred in Tokyo on 20 February, according to local police, with participants citing fears over Trump’s hints at reducing U.S. troop presence in the region, as reported by The Japan Times.
Trump has dismissed the international criticism. At a rally in Ohio on 12 March, attended by an estimated 15,000 supporters per local officials, he labelled the protests "a tantrum by sore losers" and vowed to prioritise American interests "no matter the noise from abroad." His administration has yet to respond formally to the growing unrest, though White House Press Secretary John Carter stated on 16 March that "the president welcomes dialogue with allies" but will not bow to external pressure.
Experts caution against overinterpreting the "war" rhetoric. Dr. Maria Costa, a political scientist at the University of Oxford, told this publication, "The phrase is a hyperbolic signal of frustration, not a policy proposal. It reflects genuine fears about trade wars, climate inaction, and geopolitical instability." Data from the World Trade Organization supports some of these concerns, projecting that Trump’s proposed 20% tariffs could reduce global trade volume by 1.5% in 2026 if implemented.
As of now, no official coordinated international response has emerged, though activists are planning a "Global Day of Action" on 1 April, with events scheduled in at least 12 cities worldwide, according to organisers’ statements on X. Governments, meanwhile, appear focused on diplomacy. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Anna Berger are set to meet U.S. Secretary of State Michael Hayes in Brussels next week to discuss NATO and trade, per a 17 March EU press release.
While the "rebellion" remains largely symbolic, its scale and intensity underscore the polarising impact of Trump’s leadership on the global stage. Whether it evolves into a substantive challenge or fades as rhetoric will depend on the actions of both his administration and the international community in the months ahead.

Israel's War on Iran's Ayatollahs

Israel-Iran: USA Strikes

Iran: Allies abandoned

Saudi Arabia's Economic Crisis

Orban and Putin's Shadow Deal

Ukraine's Drones Bleed Russia

California's Economy: Not Broken

North Korea Infiltrates Economy

Boomers: Selfish or Scapegoats?

Malaysia's Strategic Ascent

Trump’s 50% tariffs on europe
