Trump threatens ‘far larger’ tariffs on E.U. and Canada if they unite to do ‘economic harm’ to the U.S.

On Wednesday, Trump announced tariffs would be imposed on all autos and auto parts not manufactured in the U.S. starting April 3. While the tariffs would affect both Canadian and E.U. firms, they were not specifically aimed at them.

The E.U. and Canada have yet to issue any formal statement about uniting to harm the U.S. But both have signaled that they could retaliate to the latest impositions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday the E.U. “will continue to seek negotiated solutions, while safeguarding its economic interests.”

“Tariffs are taxes — bad for businesses, worse for consumers equally in the U.S. and the European Union,” she said in a statement.

Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney meanwhile described Trump’s move as “a direct attack” and told reporters he would be convening a high-level cabinet meeting on Thursday to decide on a response.

“We will defend our workers, we will defend our companies, we will defend our country, and we will defend it together,” he said in Kitchener, Ontario, according to Reuters.