May Day rallies across the globe spotlighted escalating anger over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda and anxieties surrounding potential global economic instability. From Tokyo to Turin, Taipei to Paris, tens of thousands of workers took to the streets on this significant day, known as International Workers’ Day or Labor Day.
In France, union leaders vocally criticized the “Trumpization” of world politics. Meanwhile, in Italy, protesters paraded a puppet resembling the American president through the streets of Turin. In Germany, union representatives expressed concerns that extended workdays and anti-immigrant rhetoric were undermining hard-fought labor protections.
The significance of this holiday lies in honoring the struggles and achievements of workers and the labor movement. In the United States, rallies were anticipated in major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia, with organizers emphasizing their message against Trump’s policies targeting immigrants, federal workers, and diversity initiatives.
In Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te addressed new U.S. tariffs imposed under Trump, advocating for a proposed spending bill aimed at stabilizing the job market and supporting livelihoods. Similarly, in the Philippines, protest leader Mong Palatino warned that “tariff wars and policies of Trump” posed significant threats to local industries.
In Japan, Trump’s influence was symbolically represented during the rallies, where a truck in the Tokyo march carried a doll designed to resemble him. The demands among protesters spanned from higher wages and gender equality to healthcare and calls for an end to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Junko Kuramochi, a member of a mothers’ group, emphasized the importance of recognizing workers' rights for future generations.
Under cloudy skies in Taipei, approximately 2,500 union members from various sectors, including fisheries and telecommunications, marched from the presidential office. Protesters cautioned that Trump’s tariffs could jeopardize jobs, with union leader Carlos Wang urging the government to implement protective measures for laborers. An autoworkers’ union creatively showcased their concerns with a cutout car adorned with a photo of Trump.
President Lai announced on Facebook that his administration proposed a substantial bill amounting to 410 billion New Taiwan dollars (approximately $12.8 billion) aimed at bolstering the industry and stabilizing the job market.
In Manila, thousands of Filipino workers marched near the presidential palace, calling for increased wages and stronger job protections. In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto addressed a large crowd in Jakarta’s National Monument Park, pledging to eliminate poverty in the country. An estimated 200,000 Indonesian workers participated in May Day marches across the nation, demanding an end to outsourcing, wage increases, and protections for both domestic and migrant workers.
In Turkey, May Day became a platform for advocating not just for labor rights but also for broader democratic values, particularly in light of the jailing of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. His imprisonment earlier this year ignited the largest protests in over a decade, and this public holiday provided an opportunity for renewed anti-government demonstrations. Authorities imposed restrictions in Istanbul, blocking access to central areas and detaining over 200 protesters.
Los Angeles is gearing up for one of the largest May Day events globally, with a unifying banner that stated, “One Struggle, One Fight — Workers Unite!” April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union, representing two million workers, highlighted that the fight against the division created by billionaires and politicians is crucial. “We know the truth — an attack on immigrant workers is an attack on all workers,” she stated emphatically.
This year’s May Day rallies reflect a global solidarity among workers against policies perceived as harmful, particularly those associated with Trump’s administration, as they advocate for fair treatment, rights, and protections for all.
