Canada to impose matching tariffs on U.S. goods after new 50 per cent U.S. tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney has called the United States’ new 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods an attack on Canada’s economy and announced that Ottawa will respond with dollar-for-dollar tariffs beginning Sept. 8.

Asked by reporters whether Canada has now entered a trade war with the United States, Carney said the country is responding to what he described as an economic attack.

Carney acknowledged that tariffs could lead to higher prices and fewer choices for Canadians. He said, however, that rejecting what he characterized as a bad deal was in Canada’s interest.

The prime minister said the Trump administration changed conditions during the final stages of trade negotiations, which he said would have been damaging to the Canadian economy. Canada subsequently paused the talks and recalled its negotiating team to Ottawa.

The federal government is also working with the provinces on a broader response that includes reducing internal trade barriers, expanding export markets and accelerating national projects, according to Carney.