OTTAWA — Canada has announced plans to hit back at the United States with equivalent retaliatory tariffs starting September 8, following the failure of last-minute trade negotiations to resolve a major trade impasse. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that Ottawa will match the new 50% duties imposed by the U.S. on a “dollar-for-dollar” basis to shield domestic workers and businesses.
The escalation came after midnight negotiations on Friday failed to finalize a broader bilateral trade pact, triggering steep U.S. tariffs on approximately CAD 28 billion ($20 billion) worth of Canadian exports.
Unfair Demands and Walked-Back Terms
Addressing reporters in Ottawa, Prime Minister Carney defended the decision to stall talks and recall Canadian negotiators from Washington. He stated that the final conditions presented by the U.S. administration were “unfair and economically unacceptable,” asserting that Washington “asked too much and offered too little”.
“In the coming days, we will release the details of these new tariff measures, which will come into force the Tuesday after Labor Day,” Carney said, re-emphasizing Canada’s intent to protect key industrial and agricultural sectors.
In response, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer placed the blame on Ottawa, claiming Canadian negotiators declined to finalize terms previously agreed upon and introduced last-minute demands.
Targeted Sectors
Canada’s planned counter-tariffs will impact a broad spectrum of U.S. imports, including:
- Heavy Industry: Steel, aluminum, and manufacturing machinery.
- Consumer & Tech Goods: Home appliances, electronics, and paper products.
- Agriculture & Dairy: Farm equipment and select agricultural produce.
Alongside the tariff response, Prime Minister Carney assured that the Canadian government will introduce targeted financial aid packages to cushion vulnerable domestic sectors and workers impacted by the brewing trade war.
