From Tokyo to Turin, and Taipei to Paris, thousands took to the streets on May Day to express their anger over the US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and the growing fears of global economic turmoil. What began as annual rallies for labor rights transformed into a broader wave of protest. The union leaders of France, condemned the “Trumpization” of world politics. Italy saw protesters parading a puppet of the American president through the streets of Turin. The unionists in Germany have cautioned that extended workdays and opposing immigration policies can threaten the labourers’ rights.
May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or Labor Day is celebrated to commemorate the struggles and achievements of workers and the labor movement across the world. The day is witnessed with several rallies across the United States and several States including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.
Trump’s agenda is viewed as a source of concern in many countries. In the United States, organizers stated that this year’s May Day celebrations aim to oppose Trump’s policies targeting immigrants, federal workers, and diversity initiatives.
In Philippines, protest leader Mong Palatino warned that “tariff wars and policies of Trump” can threaten the local industries. In Japan, Donald Trump’s image made a striking appearance during May Day demonstrations, with a Tokyo parade truck displaying a large doll resembling the US president. Protesters voiced a wide array of demands, including higher wages, gender equality, improved healthcare, disaster relief, a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“For our children to be able to live with hope, the rights of workers must be recognized,” said Junko Kuramochi, a member of a mothers’ group in Tokyo.
Tadashi Ito, a union construction worker, said he is worried about the rising prices of imported raw materials.
“Everybody is fighting over work and so the contracts tend to go where the wages are cheapest,” he said. “We think peace comes first. And we hope Trump will eradicate conflict and inequalities.”
Concerns regarding Trump’s tariffs:
About 2,500 Taiwanese union members, from sectors ranging from fisheries to telecommunications, began a march outside the presidential office in Taipei. Protesters warned that Trump’s tariffs could cost them their jobs.
“This is why we hope that the government can propose plans to protect the rights of laborers,” said union leader Carlos Wang. An autoworkers’ union carried a cutout of a car topped with a photo of Trump.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te responded to backlashes on Facebook stating that his government had already proposed a 410 billion New Taiwan dollar ($12.8 billion) bill to support the industry and stabilize the job market.
In Manila, thousands of Filipino workers marched near the presidential palace, where police blocked access with barricades. Protesters demanded higher wages and stronger protections for local jobs and businesses.
In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto addressed thousands of cheering workers at Jakarta’s National Monument Park. “The government that I lead will work as hard as possible to eliminate poverty from Indonesia,” Subianto told the crowd.
According to Said Iqbal, president of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions, about 200,000 Indonesian workers were expected to take part in May Day parades across the country. They are demanding a rise in wages and protection for domestic and migrant workers abroad.
Arrest of Istanbul mayor becomes a flashpoint in Turkey protests:
In Turkey, May Day demonstrations extended beyond labor rights to broader demands for democracy, as protesters rallied against the recent jailing of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. His March imprisonment caused public unrest. To curb the crowd, authorities blocked access to central Istanbul and suspended public transit routes. According to a law association, more than 200 people—including lawyers—were detained near Taksim Square by midday.
A massive rally in LA:
Los Angeles is expected to host one of the world’s largest May Day events this year on the theme: “One Struggle, One Fight — Workers Unite!”
“We’re bringing the fight to the billionaires and politicians who are trying to divide us with fear and lies. We know the truth — an attack on immigrant workers is an attack on all workers,” April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union, which represents 2 million workers, said in a statement.
