Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed determination on Wednesday to combat the new set of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Carney announced plans to collaborate with other global partners to navigate the challenging times ahead.
In response to Trump’s Rose Garden declaration, Carney stated, “President Trump has just announced a series of measures that are going to fundamentally change the international trading system. This will have repercussions on the U.S. economy, which will intensify over time.
“In our judgment, it will be negative on the U.S. economy that will have an impact on us,” he added, noting millions of Canadians will be impacted.
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds a press conference following the First Ministers Meeting at the National War Museum on Friday, March 21, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, generally seen as a Trump ally, said Trump’s tariffs were “wrong” and warned they would not only harm American and European pocketbooks, but aid Western adversaries.
“We will do everything we can to work towards an agreement with the United States, with the goal of avoiding a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West in favor of other global players,” Meloni said in a statement on Facebook.
“In any case, as always, we will act in the interest of Italy and its economy, also engaging with other European partners,” she added.
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Simon Harris, said he “deeply regret[s]” the new tariffs but said he is committed to working with Washington to end this tariff war.
“I must be honest tonight that a 20% blanket tariff on goods from all EU countries could have a significant effect on Irish investment and the wider economy,” he said, noting the effects would “likely be felt for some time.”
Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee Bernd Lange called for a united response from countries targeted by Trump.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
“While President Trump might call today ‘Liberation Day,’ from an ordinary citizen’s point of view this is ‘Inflation Day,’ he said, reported Reuters. “Because of this decision, U.S. consumers will be forced to carry the heaviest burden in a trade war.”
Lange said the EU will respond through “legal, legitimate, proportionate and decisive” measures.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said her government would work to figure out the next steps.
The U.K., along with the president of Mexico ahead of the announcement, said they would continue to work with the U.S. and would not rush to enforce reciprocal tariffs.
Similarly, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that while Trump’s decision was “not the act of a friend,” his country would not impose reciprocal tariffs, reported Reuters.
He reportedly condemned the U.S. tariffs as totally unwarranted and said Australia will continue to negotiate to have the tariffs lifted.
