Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni has described as "wrong" the announcement by US President Donald Trump of a 20% tariff on imports from the European Union.
Mr Trump confirmed the move as part of a series of levies imposed on global economies on what he described as "liberation day" for the United States.
Ms Meloni said the move woud not benefit the US, adding that she hopes to work with the US and the EU to avoid a trade war.
"We will do everything we can to work towards an agreement with the United States, with the goal of avoiding a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West in favor of other global players," she said in a statement on Facebook.
"In any case, as always, we will act in the interest of Italy and its economy, also engaging with other European partners," added Ms Meloni, who is seen as close to President Trump.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that: "Spain will protect its companies and workers and will continue to be committed to an open world".
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said this country does not "want growing trade barriers" or "a trade war"
"We want to find our way back to a path of trade and cooperation together with the US, so that people in our countries can enjoy a better life."
European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen is expected to respond to the tariff announcement in the coming hours.
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The President of the European People's Party - the largest group in the European Parliament - said 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 don't defend fair trade; they attack it out of fear and hurt both sides of the Atlantic.
"Europe stands united, ready to defend its interests, and open to fair, firm talks," Manfred Weber added.
The German chemicals industry urged Brussels to "keep a cool head" in response to the tariff, warning that "a spiral of escalation would only increase the damage".
"We regret the decision of the US government," the Association of the German Chemical Industry said in a statement.
The organisation called on the EU to maintain a "close dialogue" with the US, the largest export market for the German chemical industry.
