Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Saturday that Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on selected U.S. exports beginning Sept. 8, responding to recent American levies that Ottawa says targeted billions of dollars of Canadian goods and undermined the latest round of trade talks.
Carney, flanked on Parliament Hill by Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief trade negotiator Janice Charette, said Ottawa had suspended negotiations late Friday and recalled its negotiators to Ottawa after concluding the United States had presented a "bad deal." He said the new Canadian duties will mirror Washington’s measures on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Scope and timing of measures
The prime minister said the countermeasures will be aimed at sectors that include steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper and electronics. He indicated further specifics about tariff rates and support programs for affected industries will be released in the days ahead.
| Effective date | Targeted sectors |
|---|---|
| Sept. 8 | Steel; dairy; appliances; agricultural equipment; pulp and paper; electronics |
Carney said the U.S. had announced new 50 per cent tariffs on significant Canadian exports the previous Saturday, a move he described as an attack that left Canada with no choice but to respond. "
We got attacked,"he told reporters when asked about the escalating trade dispute.
Why talks collapsed
The prime minister said Ottawa rejected last-minute U.S. efforts that would have limited Canada’s ability to negotiate other trade agreements, calling that gambit a "power play" and raising concerns about Canadian sovereignty. He asserted Canada was unwilling to accept terms that would restrict its trade autonomy.
"We cannot accept what they’ve offered and we will not give what they’ve asked," Carney told reporters. He stressed the decision to impose counter-tariffs was taken reluctantly and with recognition of potential costs to Canadian consumers and businesses.
"
We take this step reluctantly," he said, adding some measures would increase prices and narrow choice for Canadian shoppers. He also acknowledged that some U.S. companies and states are "innocent bystanders" in the confrontation between the two national governments.
Political and economic consequences
Experts and industry stakeholders will be watching closely for the exact list of goods and the scale of the retaliatory levies, as well as what supports Ottawa will offer to soften the blow for affected firms. Tariffs that match Washington’s levies could escalate costs for bilateral supply chains and prompt responses from U.S. states and businesses that have trading links with Canada.
- Carney characterised the U.S. moves as constraining Canada’s freedom to pursue other trade agreements.
- The dollar-for-dollar approach signals Ottawa intends reciprocity rather than de-escalation for now.
- Further announcements will outline the precise tariffs and mitigation measures for impacted sectors.
The prime minister framed the decision as part of a broader effort to protect Canadian interests while preserving the long-term value of trade ties with the United States. "By rejecting a bad deal, by standing up for Canada, by focusing on what we can control, we will build Canada strong for all," he said.
As Ottawa prepares to publish full details of the measures and assistance programs, businesses that trade with the U.S. and consumers who buy affected goods may face a period of uncertainty. The government’s next steps will determine whether the dispute between the two countries intensifies or whether diplomatic channels can be reopened to settle outstanding differences.
