Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Australia’s Anthony Albanese belong to the world leaders who criticised US President Donald Trump after he imposed broad import levies on goods worldwide. Meloni called a 20% tariff rate imposed on the European Union “wrong,” while Albanese claimed a 10% import charge on Australian goods was unnecessary.
The US president’s decision includes a universal 10% baseline tariff on all imports into the US beginning April 5. Around 60 countries, including the EU and China, will face higher duties starting April 9. Trump stated that the measures will “make America rich again” and that he had been “very kind” in his judgements.
Meloni, a Trump supporter, stated that EU tariffs would “not suit either party” – referring to the EU and the US – but that she would work towards a solution with the US to “prevent a trade war. Her Spanish colleague, Pedro Sánchez, stated that Spain will defend its industries and people while remaining “committed to an open world.”
Irish commerce minister Simon Harris said he was prepared to talk with the US, calling it the “most beneficial way forward”, while Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Trump’s move was “sincerely regrettable” and benefited “no-one.
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