World leaders react to President Trump’s tariff announcement

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday evening vowed to “fight” the new round of tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, and said he would turn to other international partners to get through the rocky times ahead.

“President Trump has just announced a series of measures that are going to fundamentally change the international trading system,” Carney told reporters following Trump’s Rose Garden announcement. “We’re in a situation where there’s going to be an impact on the U.S. economy, which will build with time.”

Carney emphasized that the new tariffs will have a negative impact on the U.S. economy, which will in turn affect Canada and millions of Canadians. He expressed concern over the potential repercussions of these measures and stressed the need for unity and purpose in addressing the challenges posed by the tariffs.

While Trump did not issue any additional tariffs against Canada, he did announce tariffs on foreign vehicle imports, as well as potential future tariffs on pharmaceutical companies, lumber, and semiconductors. These tariffs are expected to have far-reaching effects on U.S. trading partners across Europe and Asia, in addition to Canada and Mexico.

In response to Trump’s announcement, Canadian Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed support for implementing “targeted, reciprocal” tariffs on American goods. He also proposed renegotiating a new trade deal with the U.S. to replace the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement signed in 2020. Poilievre emphasized the importance of protecting Canada’s border, freshwater, automotive industry, and supply-managed farm sectors.

David Adams, president and CEO of Global Automakers of Canada, voiced concerns about the impact of tariffs on consumers, inflation, and workers on both sides of the border. He urged governments to prioritize long-term solutions to remove tariffs and eliminate regulatory barriers to industry competitiveness.

European Union leaders also reacted to Trump’s announcement with disappointment and concern, pledging to continue negotiations with the U.S. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the tariffs as harmful to American and European economies and urged for a united response to avoid a trade war that could benefit other global players.

Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Simon Harris, expressed regret over the tariffs and highlighted their potential impact on Irish investment and the wider economy. He emphasized the need for collaboration with Washington to resolve the trade dispute.

Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee Bernd Lange called for a united response from countries targeted by Trump, emphasizing the burden that U.S. consumers will bear in a trade war. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter stated her government would work to determine the next steps in response to the tariffs.

In conclusion, while global leaders expressed concerns over the new tariffs imposed by President Trump, they emphasized the importance of working together to address the challenges posed by these measures. The international community is committed to finding solutions and mitigating the negative impact of the trade dispute.