Canada ready to 'intensify' trade talks after Trump orders new tariffs
US President Donald Trump is preparing fresh tariffs on dozens of countries, including 50% duties on Canadian goods. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa is ready to deepen trade talks with the US.
US plans new tariffs
According to a Financial Times report, President Donald Trump is poised to impose new tariffs on dozens of countries as soon as this week. The temporary 10% global tariff expires on Friday, and the new duties are expected to be at a similar level. However, the administration is also working on other investigations that could grant it legal authority to propose higher duties.
Canada's response
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday that Ottawa is ready to intensify trade talks with the United States after Trump ordered new tariffs targeting Canada. Carney described the US actions as "a series of unilateral US trade actions that began with tariffs in direct violation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (USMCA)." He added that Canada has made proposals to resolve disputes and is "ready to intensify those discussions."
Tariff details
The White House said the 50% tariffs will hit a wide range of products, including wine, hockey sticks, and cement. They also cover goods previously protected under the USMCA. However, the tariffs exclude energy products, fish, critical minerals, and potash. They also exclude products already subject to national security tariffs, such as steel and aluminum.
The tariffs will take effect in 30 days, leaving time for possible negotiations. Trump signed three proclamations under Section 338 of the 1930 Trade Act. Several Democratic lawmakers last year proposed repealing that section, fearing Trump could use it to destabilize the economy.
Political reactions
Canadian politicians across the spectrum condemned the move. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for a "tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar" response. The Conservatives called the tariffs "another unacceptable and unjustified attack on Canadian workers." The New Democrats leader described them as "the latest economic grenade thrown over the border by an out-of-control President."
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met Trump on Tuesday to discuss disarming Hezbollah. Democrats also seized on the deaths of three US troops in Iranian strikes to urge Trump to urgently reverse his resumption of war with Iran.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
