Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to “fight” against the new tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and said he would seek help from other international partners to navigate the upcoming challenges.
“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 entering a situation where there will be an impact on the U.S. economy, which will worsen with time.
“In our assessment, it will be detrimental to the U.S. economy, which will impact us,” he added, noting millions of Canadians will be affected.
WHICH COUNTRIES IMPOSE THE HIGHEST TARIFFS ON THE US?
Trump did not impose additional tariffs against Canada following the already existing 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports, the 10% tariff on energy exports, and the blanket tariff on aluminum and steel. However, he announced a 25% tariff on all foreign vehicle imports.
He also pointed out that there could be future targeted tariffs against pharmaceutical companies, lumber, and semiconductors, which will affect not only Canada and Mexico but also European and Asian trading partners, according to Reuters.
“In a crisis, it’s important to come together,” Carney said. “It’s essential to act with purpose and with force, and that’s what we will do,” he said.
Before the tariff announcement, Canadian Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said at an election campaign event on Wednesday that he supports “targeted, reciprocal” tariffs on American goods. He wants to sit down with U.S. President Donald Trump and create a new trade deal if his party wins the general election on April 28, which would replace the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, speaks at the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Graham Hughes/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Poilievre also said that Canada must maintain control of its border and freshwater and protect both its automotive industry and supply-managed farm sectors.
David Adams, president and CEO of Global Automakers of Canada — a national trade association representing the Canadian interests of 16 automakers, including BMW Canada, Inc. and Nissan Canada Inc. — said in a statement, “Tariffs are taxes that hurt consumers by increasing costs, driving up inflation, and unfairly impacting workers on both sides of the border.”
“Governments should look to long-term solutions to remove these tariffs, prioritizing the elimination of regulatory barriers to industry competitiveness and providing automakers with flexibilities to respond in these uncertain times,” he said.
Reactions from European Union leaders began to emerge following Trump’s announcement that he will hit the EU with 20% tariffs on all imported goods, with disappointment, concern, and commitments to continue negotiations with the U.S.
US President Donald Trump holds a chart as he delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025. (Getty Images)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, seen as a Trump ally, called Trump’s tariffs “wrong,” warning that they would harm not only American and European economies but also 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 stated on Facebook.
“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 regrets” the new tariffs but remains 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,” Harris said, noting the effects would likely persist.
Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee Bernd Lange called for a united response from countries targeted by Trump.
