Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of 25 percent duties on all cars made overseas a “direct attack” on his country and intends to explore options to respond.

“We will protect our workers. We will protect our companies, we will protect our country,” CNN quoted Carney as saying at a press conference in Ontario.

Carney said the duties are a “direct attack” that violates an agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

To that end, the prime minister said Canada will consider its options to respond.

“We have prepared mechanisms to impose retaliatory duties, if necessary. There are many considerations in this regard,” he reported.

The Associated Press noted that the prime minister said he should familiarize himself with the details of Trump's executive order before taking retaliatory measures.

Carney also said that he should talk to Trump and expressed hope that this would happen soon.

Earlier, Trump announced he would impose import duties of 25 percent on all cars made overseas.

“We will impose duties of 25%,” he said at the White House.

According to Trump, “this will lead to our economic growth,” as well as foreign automakers opening plants in the United States.

He specified that the decision also applies to small trucks.

U.S. media noted that the decision on duties on cars is due to take effect on April 2.