Meloni says Trump’s tariffs are “wrong” as world leaders react

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said US tariffs for European Union imports are “wrong” after US President Donald Trump has announced that he will start charging a 20% percentage of goods in the EU.

Meloni is one of the many world leaders responding to Trump’s “Liberation Day” reports, which include a universal 10% base tariff for all imports in the United States since April 5.

About 60 countries – including the EU – will be affected by a larger rate from April 9th. Some of the highest percentages will be imposed on smaller countries, such as Lesotho, which has been hit with a 50% fee.

Trump said the measures would “make America rich again”, adding that he was “very kind” in his decisions.

Meloni, Trump’s ally, said EU tariffs would not “not” be suitable for any country ” – citing the EU and the United States – but that it would work for a deal with the United States to” prevent trade war “.

Her Spanish colleague Pedro Sanchez said Spain would protect its companies and workers and “continue to be engaged in an open world.”

Irish Trade Minister Simon Harris said he was ready to negotiate with the United States, calling him “the best way forward” while Taoisch Michel Martin said Trump’s decision was “deep regret” and took advantage of “no one”.

Outside the EU, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that Americans would eventually pay the biggest price for what he called “unjustified tariffs”, but said his government would not impose reciprocal measures.

“We will not join a race to the bottom, which leads to higher prices and more slow growth,” he added.

The largest economy in Latin America, Brazil, approved a law in Congress on Wednesday – the Law on Economic Reciprocality – to oppose a 10% tariff imposed by Trump. There was no immediate reaction from the President, but last week Luis Inasio Lula da Silva said his country “could not stand still” in front of the tariffs.

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, US Secretary of Finance Scott Bensten warned the countries not to “avenge” and “sit back, take it in.”

“Because if the avenges, there will be escalation,” he told Fox News.

It is noticeable that the two largest trading partners in the United States, Canada and Mexico were not mentioned in Wednesday messages.

The White House said it would handle both sides according to Previous executive orderswhich imposed 25% tariffs on both nations as part of the efforts to deal with fentanyl and border problems.

Nevertheless, Canada will still be affected by the rates, said Prime Minister Mark Carney. Measures such as 25% tariff for cars starting at midnight on Thursday will directly affect millions of Canadians, “he added.

He vowed to “fight these tariffs with counter measures”, adding that US taxes would “change the global trading system” fundamentally.