Premier Giorgia Meloni has cancelled the engagements she had planned for Thursday in order to focus on action that needs to be taken following the introduction of new tariffs by the United States government, her office said.

On Thursday the premier had been scheduled to attend the inauguration of a Carabinieri police station in Limbadi, in the Calabrian province of Vibo Valentia.

On Wednesday Meloni expressed criticism after US President Donald Trump announced a series of hefty tariffs, including 20% duties on EU goods, and said she would keep working for an agreement to prevent a trade war.

“The introduction of tariffs by the United States against the European Union is a measure that I consider wrong and that does not benefit any of the parties involved,” the premier’s office said in a statement.

“We will do everything we can to work towards an agreement with the United States, with the goal of averting a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West to the advantage of other global players.

“In any case, we will, as always, act in the interest of Italy and its economy, also by coordinating with our European partners”.