Canada is set to announce details of retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. on Tuesday after relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned Canadian leaders on Monday to “fall in line” or face consequences “far WORSE” than existing tariffs and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused the U.S. government of attempting to subordinate Canada.
The U.S. imposed new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods such as wine, furniture and dairy products, while Carney said U.S. trade demands proved Washington wanted to “destroy our major industries,” including autos, steel and aluminum.
The U.S. president also threatened new 50% tariffs said tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, auto parts and steel would rise to 50% beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
TRUMP SAYS 50% TARIFFS ON CANADIAN VEHICLE, STEEL IMPORTS TO HIT JAN 1
“Without the United States, Canada couldn’t survive — It’s where they get all of their money and, because of their current bad leadership, primarily Governor Carney, and his Flunky, Ford, they will not be allowed to keep taking advantage of the United States — Their key to survival,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who had discussed the tariffs during a Monday afternoon news conference.
“Remember, much of the Electricity, Oil, and Gas that Canada gets is transported through the U.S.A. Someone should get these clowns to ‘fall in line’ or, the consequences for Canada will be far WORSE!” he added.
Carney suggested that Canada was ready to find a solution to the trade war, but only if the U.S. approached the talks as between two sovereign nations.
“An attitude at the negotiation table that Canada is a subsidiary of the United States is not something we are going to accept,” he said.
The forceful words from both sides show how relations have deteriorated since suspended negotiations late Friday, after Canada and the United States blamed one another for the collapse in talks. The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs the following day on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.
The prime minister had also said over the weekend that Canada “will match Washington’s new tariffs dollar for dollar in order to protect Canadian workers, farmers, families, and businesses.”
CANADA’S CARNEY SAYS US MADE LAST-MINUTE ‘POWER PLAY’ AS TRADE TALKS COLLAPSE; RETALIATORY TARIFFS IN PLACE
“You’re at war when you get attacked. We got attacked,” Carney said when asked if Canada was engaged in a trade war.
The “dollar for dollar” tariffs on imports of U.S. steel, electronics and other products are expected to take effect on September 8.
Ford, whose Progressive Conservative Party typically opposes Carney’s Liberal Party, said that “everything is on the table” if the trade war continues. He also asserted that Canadians are “in for an economic war,” adding that they “know they’re going to have to sacrifice.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
