In brief
Prime Minister Mark Carney has called the United States’ fresh wave of tariffs on Canada a miscalculation that will hurt and divide both nations. He announced that Canada will match U.S. duties dollar‑for‑dollar from 8 September, covering steel, dairy, appliances and electronics. Negotiations collapsed after each side accused the other of making last‑minute changes, leaving Canada facing roughly 50% U.S. tariffs on many goods. Carney said Canada’s counter‑measures would be released soon, adding that the dispute follows Canada’s attempt to renew USMCA for another 16 years, which the U.S. declined. The trade impasse signals a sharp turn in North American policy as both countries struggle to protect their economic interests.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has called the United States’ new wave of tariffs on Canadian goods a “miscalculation” that will “hurt and divide” both countries.
In a speech to Canadians on Saturday morning, Carney reiterated that the tariff rollout would be dollar‑for‑dollar starting 8 September, covering steel, dairy, appliances and electronics.
He blamed the collapse of trade talks on “last‑minute changes” that the U.S. made, accusing Washington of pressing an unfair and uneconomic “price‑fight.”
Negotiations had stalled after the U.S. threatened further tariffs if a deal was not struck by the end of the week. Both sides accused each other of walking back commitments.
With the talks ending, Canada will face roughly 50 % U.S. tariffs on a broad range of goods, in addition to existing duties on steel, aluminium, vehicles and lumber.
Carney said the country would retaliate “reluctantly” and promised that details of Canada’s counter‑measures would be released soon.
The disagreement follows Canada’s attempt earlier in the year to renew the US‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA) for an extra 16 years, which the U.S. declined to extend in its current form.
