Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday called US President Donald Trump’s auto tariffs a “direct attack” on Canada and said that the trade war is hurting Americans. He also highlighted the adverse effects of the trade dispute on Americans, evidenced by diminishing consumer confidence.
Trump on Wednesday announced 25 per cent tariffs on automobile imports, declaring “this is permanent”.
“This is a very direct attack. We will defend our workers. We will defend our companies. We will defend our country,” Carney responded.
Carney indicated he need a detailed information about Trump’s executive order before implementing countermeasures.
He described the action as unwarranted and plans to suspend his election campaign to chair a special Cabinet committee on US relations in Ottawa on Thursday.
‘This will hurt us’: Carney on new round of tariff
Carney described the latest round of tariffs as both “unjustified” and “inconsistent” with the established Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade.
He emphasised that Canada needs to enhance its self-reliance and diversify its market presence to better protect itself from such actions.
“This will hurt us but through this period, by being together, we will emerge stronger,” Carney said.
“Canadian workers, Canadians as a whole across this country have gotten over the shock of the betrayal. And are learning lessons. We have to look out for ourselves, and we have to look out for each other and work together for each other.”
Trump announces new auto tariffs ahead of April 2 deadline
Trump had previously allowed a one-month exemption for Mexican and Canadian automotive imports but than on Wednesday he announced that the US will impose a 25% tariff on imported autos, a move expected to further strain relations with key trading partners just days before additional levies are set to take effect.”
All cars that are not made in the United States will face a 25% tariff,” Trump said at the White House. “If they’re made here, there will be absolutely no tariff.”
The new measure, set to begin on April 2, will apply to foreign-made cars and light trucks, adding to the existing duties already placed on these goods. The decision follows a series of trade actions from the Trump administration, including tariffs on imports from major economic partners such as Canada, Mexico, and China, along with a 25% duty on steel and aluminum.
‘Trump wants to break us so America can own us’
Trump previously imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium, threatening comprehensive tariffs on all Canadian goods and other trading partners by April 2.
“He (Trump) wants to break us so America can own us. And it will never ever happen because we just don’t look out for ourselves we look out for each other,” Carney said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that implementation of tariffs would result in simultaneous closure of automotive plants on both sides of the border.
“President is calling it Liberation Day. I call it Termination Day for American workers. I know President Trump likes to tell people ‘Your fired!’ I didn’t think he meant US auto workers when he said it,” Ford said.
Trump continues his trade offensive against Canada whilst advocating for Canadian statehood, greatly angering Canadians.
Since taking office on March 14, the new prime minister hasn’t communicated with Trump, an unusual circumstance in US-Canada leadership relations.
“It would be appropriate that the president and I speak given the action that he has taken. I’m sure that will happen soon,” Carney said.
