By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-04-03 07:31:59 | Updated at 2025-04-04 19:48:01
1 day ago
A CNN panel had to sit through an awkward segment as a British journalist went into meltdown over Trump's new tariffs live on air and tried to mansplain the consequences of the 'Liberation Day' announcements.
Cringeworthy video of the exchange captured four women attempting to politely smile and hide their discomfort as CNN International host Richard Quest joined the NewsNight panel on Wednesday.
The panelists were discussing Trump's groundbreaking revelation that he was introducing sweeping global tariffs which sent the stock market into total meltdown.
Initially, the discussion appeared lighthearted, with all four of Quest's female colleagues laughing as he dramatically recounted the day's events.
'Let there be no doubt about this. The president said today a whole load of economic nonsense, things that we know simply will not happen,' he said, which initially attracted a positive reaction.
'He talks about it being great for the economy and it's going to boost growth. It will not.'
But the energy in the room shifted when Quest's tone went from sensational to condescending as he began explaining how the tariffs will unfold.
'I've studied this a million ways upside down,' he said, repeatedly banging his hands on the table.
Cringeworthy video of the exchange captured four women attempting to politely smile and hide their discomfort as CNN International host Richard Quest joined the NewsNight panel on Wednesday
The energy in the room shifted when Quest's tone went from sensational to condescending as he began explaining how the tariffs will unfold
Host Abby Phillips raised her eyebrows directly down the barrel of the camera and also appeared to make an effort to keep a neutral reaction during the outburst
'Where does he think these billions are coming from?! The importer pays, and the importer passes it to the wholesaler. The wholesaler passes it to the distributor.
'The distributor – get your wallet out – passes it to you.'
Simultaneously, former National Coalitions Director for the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign, Ashley Allison, pursed her lips and dropped her head.
Commentator Ana Nivarro appeared momentarily stunned as the camera panned to her, before offering a tight-lipped smile and small head nod in Quest's direction.
The segment became increasingly uncomfortable as the women took big, gulping breaths and awkwardly looked away from Quest.
Host Abby Phillips raised her eyebrows directly down the barrel of the camera and also appeared to make an effort to keep a neutral reaction during the outburst.
Trump's sweeping new tariffs went into effect just after midnight, and will have lasting impacts on some of the nation's most enduring international partners.
All nations now face being hit with 10 percent tariffs on all imports to the U.S. with the highest at 50 percent.
Commentator Ana Nivarro appeared momentarily stunned as the camera panned to her, before offering a tight-lipped smile and small head nod in Quest's direction
Host Abby Phillips even appeared stunned at various stages of Quest's rant
The panelists were discussing Trump's groundbreaking revelation that he was introducing sweeping global tariffs which sent the stock market into total meltdown
Several countries, including allies like Japan (24 percent), South Korea (25 percent), and Great Britain (10 percent), plus top competitor China (34 percent), face individualized tariffs, based on their own national policies as calculated by the Trump administration.
Quest's reaction on CNN was just the latest in a long line of emotional left-wing reactions to the tariffs on Wednesday.
CNBC analyst Bonawyn Eison described Trump's announcement as 'probably worse than the worst case scenario that was modeled.'
And Mike O'Rourke, chief marketing strategist at Jones Trading, warned: 'It is hard to imagine how these tariffs would not wreak havoc upon the profit margins of major multinational corporations.'
As Trump spoke the stock market tanked - with Dow futures dropping more than 250 points, the S&P 500 falling 100 points and Nasdaq futures dripping more than 400 points.
The individualized tariffs take effect April 9 at 12:01 AM.
European Union countries, who Trump has repeatedly accused of ripping off the U.S., are getting slapped with a 20 percent tariff.
Initially, the discussion appeared lighthearted, with all four of Quest's female colleagues laughing as he dramatically recounted the day's events
President Donald Trump announced his new tariffs on Wednesday
'For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,' Trump said.
Canada and Mexico were exempt from Wednesday's tariff announcement, due to the president already charging them 25 percent excluding the goods outlined in the trade agreement from Trump's first administration.
'They all understand, we're gonna have to go through a little tough love maybe? But they all understand. They're ripping us off and they understood,' Trump said.
Russia was also not included, because the United States does not trade with them.
'Well, Russia and Belarus we don't trade with. Right?' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, referring to the ongoing economic sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine.
'They are sanctioned.'
