What we learned about the Canada-U.S. trade war today
Trump made new threats today, saying in an online post that U.S. tariffs on Canadian automobiles, car parts and steel will jump to 50 per cent on Jan. 1. Carney said “it’s not a surprise” that the U.S. threatened more “unjustified tariffs.”
Carney has promised to match U.S. tariffs “dollar for dollar” along with a pledge to support Canadian workers and businesses. Ottawa will announce its response to U.S. tariffs in a news conference at 11 a.m. ET Tuesday. Two sources told CBC News the products subject to Canada’s counter-tariffs will be diverse and have readily available Canadian alternatives.
Minister of Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc said “we always had a plan” in case a deal with the U.S. fell through. LeBlanc appeared to hint at where that support may land, saying, “If it’s automobiles, if it’s steel and aluminum, if it’s softwood lumber — those are the kind of decisions that will be announced in the coming hours.”
While Ontario Premier Doug Ford said actions like an electricity surcharge and cutting off the province’s critical minerals to the U.S. are all “on the table,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was clear in ruling out disruption to oil and gas as a counter-measure to U.S. trade threats.
Canada’s leadership signalled the conditions they’re looking for before going back to the negotiating table. Carney said Canada would come to the table when Americans bring “the right attitude.” LeBlanc said Canadian negotiators would be in no rush to return to Washington without first seeing a “viable deal” for Canada’s key sectors.
At the same time, federal Conservatives are asking the government to release details of the trade agreement that fell apart last week, calling for transparency.
Trump also exchanged some personal insults with Ford. The U.S. president lashed out at the premier over Truth Social, calling him “the less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive brother of the late, great, Rob Ford.” Ford responded, “Bring it on, buddy,” and called the U.S. president a “loser” and “tyrant” as he vowed to “fight back” against the tariffs.