Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says sweeping tariffs, as U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, would fundamentally change the international trading system.

“President Trump has just announced a series of measures that are going to fundamentally change the international trading system,” Mr Carney said.

Mr Carney was speaking from Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday.

Mr Carney said Canada was spared the 10 per cent baseline tariff that Mr Trump said would be applied to most imports to the U.S.

“The fentanyl tariffs still remain in place, as do the tariffs for steel and aluminium. As of this evening, the tariffs on automobiles will enter into force and the U.S. has signalled that there will be additional tariffs in so-called ‘strategic sectors’,’’ the Canadian premier said.

Mr Carney said the tariffs will affect millions of Canadians.

“We are going to fight these tariffs with countermeasures. We are going to protect our workers. In a crisis, it’s important to come together and it’s essential to act with purpose and with force, and that’s what we will do,” Mr Carney said.

Mr Trump had announced new blanket tariffs of 10 per cent on most U.S. imports, with higher penalties based on trade deficits.

Imports from the European Union will face a 20 per cent tariff.

(dpa/NAN)