Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced a 50% tariff on goods imported from Canada after trade agreement negotiations ended without a deal.
Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly raised import duties on products from several countries. The latest move follows the breakdown of talks with Canada, with the US linking the decision directly to the failure to conclude an agreement.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Canada declined to finalise the deal based on conditions that had been agreed earlier in the week. He added that Canada rejected US concessions, including proposed reductions in tariffs affecting sectors such as steel and aluminium.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government would respond with tariffs of its own. He criticised last-minute changes to the US proposal as unfair and said Canada would provide additional support to workers and businesses in the coming days, while also seeking to reduce reliance on the US, which accounts for about 70% of Canada’s exports.
Canada has been seeking relief from US tariffs on vehicles, steel and aluminium, arguing that the duties have weighed on its economy, contributed to job losses and strained what was once a strong trade relationship between the two countries.
