Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni has labeled the announcement by US President Donald Trump regarding a 20% tariff on imports from the European Union as “wrong.”
Mr. Trump confirmed the decision as part of a suite of levies on global economies, referring to it as “liberation day” for the United States.
Ms. Meloni stated that this move would not be advantageous for the US and expressed her hope to collaborate with both the US and the EU to prevent a trade war.
“We will do everything we can to strive towards an agreement with the United States, aiming to avoid a trade war that would inevitably undermine the West in favor of other global players,” she remarked in a statement on Facebook.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez asserted that, “Spain will protect its companies and workers and will remain committed to an open world.”
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson indicated that his country does not “desire increasing trade barriers” or “a trade war.”
“We aim to return to a path of trade and cooperation with the US, ensuring that people in our nations can enjoy a better quality of life.”
European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen is anticipated to respond to the tariff announcement within the next few hours.
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The President of the European People’s Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, stated that it is not “liberation day” but “resentment day” for the US.
“To our American friends, today isn’t liberation day – it’s resentment day. Donald Trump’s tariffs do not protect fair trade; rather, they undermine it out of fear and harm both sides of the Atlantic.
“Europe stands united, prepared to defend its interests, and open to fair, rigorous discussions,” Manfred Weber added.
The German chemicals industry urged Brussels to “maintain a cool head” in reaction to the tariff, cautioning that “a spiral of escalation would only exacerbate the damage.”
“We regret the US government’s decision,” the Association of the German Chemical Industry stated in a communication.
The organization called on the EU to keep a “close dialogue” with the US, which is the largest export market for the German chemical sector.
