Canada's PM Carney: new US tariffs 'designed to hurt and divide' the country
New 50% US tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods took effect Saturday after trade talks between Ottawa and Washington collapsed. Canadian PM Mark Carney said the measures were meant to harm and divide Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has sharply criticised new US tariffs, arguing they were crafted specifically to damage Canada and sow division within the country. His comments follow the collapse of trade negotiations between the two governments on Friday.
Carney explained that Ottawa walked away from an arrangement he described as unfavourable. According to him, Canada cannot accept the terms offered by Washington and will not concede what is being demanded. The prime minister also accused the US side of attempting to alter the terms of the deal at the last minute, calling the changes unfair and economically unsound, and warning they undermine trust in any future agreement. Carney pledged that Canada would respond with matching tariffs to protect domestic workers and businesses.
New 50% duties affecting roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods took effect on Saturday after the two sides failed to reach an agreement, with each blaming the other for pushing last-minute changes.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative characterised the situation as a missed opportunity for Canada, claiming the country was pursuing prolonged retaliation against the US. It stated that despite Washington's offer to give Canada the most favourable treatment among major exporters, new Canadian demands and the withdrawal of previously agreed commitments disrupted a carefully reached balance.
Trump's response
The breakdown came despite earlier optimism from US President Donald Trump that a deal was within reach, having previously delayed the tariffs' original start date as talks progressed. On Sunday morning, Trump said Ottawa wanted the benefits of statehood without actually becoming a US state. He also repeated claims that Canada had long imposed heavy tariffs on American farmers, vowing this would no longer be tolerated.
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has pursued an aggressive tariff agenda, raising duties on trading partners worldwide. His administration argues tariffs strengthen US manufacturing and job creation, while critics say they raise costs for consumers and businesses and create uncertainty for investment planning.
