Donald Trump’s “liberation day” US tariffs on imported goods from a long list of international territories – including some inhabited only by penguins – sparked market turmoil and fears of a global recession.
As the chaos continued into this week, the question loomed of how the world, from China to Europe, would respond. An increasingly dark-looking spiral with China of tariff threats and counter-threats this week led Beijing to vow to “fight to the end”, while vice-president JD Vance again showed his lack of class by referring to “Chinese peasants” in an interview.
But Trump is also coming under growing scrutiny from his own parish, as some of his wealthy US supporters survey the wreckage of their own damaged fortunes.
From Vietnam’s factories to Europe’s corridors of power, Guardian and Observer reporters survey the reaction to a week that some feel could be an end to globalised trade as we know it. And from the economics perspective, Heather Stewart and Richard Partington explain why the tariffs make little fiscal sense.
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Five essential reads in this week’s edition
Spotlight | Families’ shock at IDF’s killing of paramedics in Gaza
Relatives who waited an agonising week before the bodies were found speak of the passion that drove Red Crescent workers. Malak A Tantesh, Julian Borger and Bethan McKernan report
Science | Is ratings culture changing our brains?
We live under mutual surveillance, asked to leave public ratings for every purchase, meal, taxi ride or hair appointment. What is it doing to us, asks Chloë Hamilton
Feature | The huge, unsellable public art of Jeremy Deller
Jeremy Deller can’t really draw or paint. Instead of making things, he makes things happen. Charlotte Higgins spends time with one of Britain’s best-known but unlikely artists
Opinion | Donald Trump won’t stop me visiting the US – a country I love
For John Harris, the United States means music, progress, hope. Whatever their president does, he argues, plenty of Americans continue to believe in those too
Culture | How Tracy Chapman captured a moment and inspired a generation
Zadie Smith was 12 years old when she saw Tracy Chapman captivate a massive crowd at 1988’s Free Nelson Mandela concert. Her astonishing debut album has mesmerised the novelist ever since
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What else we’ve been reading
• Spare a thought for Evan Johnston, an American student who this week accidentally boarded what he thought was a London sightseeing boat but was in fact a vessel carrying Southend United football fans. As a (longsuffering) fan of the club I’m delighted to hear that Johnston has taken the Shrimpers to his heart. I also offer him my sympathies. Neil Willis, production editor
• Ever wondered how a parking warden came to be the subject of the Beatles’ Lovely Rita – or, along with the Kinks, wished you could be like David Watts? This homage to the everyday people who inspired some of pop’s greatest hits could enlighten you as it did me. Graham Snowdon, editor
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Other highlights from the Guardian website
• Audio | How the Beatles helped my autistic son find his voice – podcast
• Video | It’s complicated: how philanthropists are destroying African farms
• Gallery | Suspended in time: ethereal photos that look like landscape paintings
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