Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that the country will impose retaliatory tariffs on the US, matching their actions “dollar-for-dollar.”
Carney spoke to Canadians on Saturday, shortly after the US introduced 50 percent tariffs on almost $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.
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The prime minister promised a “focused response,” starting September 8, targeting US imports like steel, dairy products, appliances, agricultural equipment, paper, and electronics.
“We pursued every opportunity to reach an agreement that protects Canadian workers and their families, that strengthens our economy and that respects Canadian sovereignty,” Carney said. “We take this step reluctantly.”
His comments came after weeks of uncertainty about whether these tariffs would actually happen. The new import taxes were initially proposed in July as part of an ongoing trade dispute between the two nations.
Since he began his second term, Trump has aimed to increase pressure on Canada as part of a strategy to enhance US influence in the Western Hemisphere.
When announcing the 50 percent tariffs on July 20, Trump claimed Canada was engaging in “discriminatory treatment” regarding trade policies. These two neighboring countries have been allies for a long time and are among each other’s largest trading partners.
Negotiators from both sides tried hard to prevent Trump’s latest round of tariffs from being enacted but managed only a delay from a previous deadline set for Wednesday.
However, despite extensive discussions over the past three days, they couldn’t finalize any trade agreement. The revised tariff deadline passed at midnight Eastern US time (04:00 GMT).
Carney stated that Canada had been “pragmatic, patient and persistent,” explaining on Saturday that they left talks because the US “asked too much and they offered too little.”
He also accused the US of making last-minute demands that derailed negotiations.
“In recent days, the United States proposed new terms that were uneconomic, unfair, and undermined the net benefits for Canada and called into question the reliability of any deal,” Carney said.
When pressed by reporters for details, Carney pointed out last-minute changes related to car imports and restrictions limiting Canada’s ability to establish new trade partnerships.
“The US introduced in the last hours efforts to restrict our ability to have other trade deals,” Carney alleged.
“We’re seen as a preferred partner by many countries globally; yet Americans wanted limits on that. They proposed language intended to restrict it. Unacceptable.”
Carney also criticized how inconsistent the US’s reasons were for imposing these cross-border tariffs. He highlighted comments made by Trump referencing drug-trafficking issues, television ads, and wildfire smoke as justifications for raising import duties on Canadian goods.
Since taking office in 2025, Carney has faced constant challenges from Trump who returned for a second term that same year. p>
The Trump administration often uses broad tariffs as leverage for better deals with trading partners. Experts suggest this aggressive foreign policy has also strained relationships with some traditional allies. p>
Aware of these tensions , Carney has urged middle powers around the world to collaborate as a counterbalance against superpowers like the US and China. In his speech Saturday , he acknowledged Trump’s disruptive role in global politics. p>
“Our government understood before many that America would transform all its commercial relationships , putting tariffs even on its closest allies while using economic integration as leverage ,” Carney said. p>
“We also recognize sometimes agreements can be unstable or subject to sudden changes. “ p>
“Unfortunately , there’s been too big a gap lately between partnership and competition ,” he added. p>
The Trump administration however , is trying to frame Canada’s demands as obstacles during this week’s tariff talks. p>
A breakthrough between Ottawa and Washington seemed close late Friday when Trump told reporters , “The deal with Canada is moving along.” p>
You may have heard reports suggesting that if Canada granted more access to American businesses concerning dairy and lumber markets then certain tariffs could be lowered. p>
B ut come Saturday , U. S Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Fox News no further negotiations with Canada are planned. Greer went on saying U. S would continue taking measures against retaliatory tariffs from its northern neighbor. p>
“They’ve always had one of best deals already but chose not accept something even better,” Greer mentioned. p>
C arney made it clear though : Canada will keep working towards stronger trading relations with other countries. p>
“We can’t control what happens out of Washington,” Carney stated.”What we can do instead is build up Canada’s strength while diversifying our international trading relationships.” p>
A reporter questioned Carney about his serious demeanor saying ,”Why does it seem like Mark Carney is preparing for war? A trade war?” p>
C arney responded directly,”You get attacked when you’re at war. We’ve been attacked.”
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