Vladimir Putin 'enjoying every second of Donald Trump's tariffs fiasco' as WW3 looms

Vladimir Putin is "enjoying every second" of Donald Trump's fiasco as World War 3 looms over global affairs, an expert has said.

US President sent shockwaves through the global economy after he issued crippling tariffs on friends and foes alike last week. While the UK got off with the 10 per cent baseline on exports to the US, others were slapped with staggering amounts of 20 per cent or higher. The move sent stock markets plummeting across the as business analysts were left baffled by Mr Trump's move and the staggeringly bizarre nature of the near-blanket tariffs.

But as stock markets went into meltdown with trade blocs and powerhouse countries igniting trade wars with the US. vowed to hit back against Mr Trump's measures with its own 34 per cent reciprocal tariffs which in turn led Washington to threaten an additional 50 per cent tariff.

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On the side lines despot Putin has enjoyed every moment of the fiasco as avoided any tariffs from Mr Trump due to economic sanctions on the country. But an expert warns Putin's glee could prove to be Europe's misery should Mr Trump's tariff policy spiral out of control.

University of Buckingham politics professor Anthony Glees said: "The big danger here is that history shows that tariff policies are linked directly to aggressive nationalism. Both in the 1880s when the German Reich introduced tariffs and in the 1930s when the USA and then Nazi Germany did the same, wars followed swiftly. If America turns in on itself, we are at massive risk from Russia. Putin is enjoying every second of this mega psychodrama.

"There are those who think that Trump is simply hitting China with the biggest 'weapons' he has - an extra 50 per cent on top of the 34 per cent already activated if China dares to 'retaliate' because he wants to end with a deal which will be a compromise but still give the USA most of what it wants."

Concerns are mounting among economists and world leaders that Mr Trump's tariff policy could spell a definitive end to globalisation as we know it. Mr Trump has claimed the rest of the world has ripped off the US and is using the tariffs as a means to bring nations to the negotiating table.

The Republican also argues the tariffs will be a way to force country's to relocate production and manufacturing to the US and bring jobs flooding back to the US. But critics argue the tariffs will drive up prices for consumers at a time when many are struggling or are just one pay day away from financial difficulties.