OTTAWA — Canada is just one week away from imposing a series of tariffs on American goods as its response to the trade war with the United States enters another phase.
The federal government says the tariffs will take effect Sept. 8 in response to sweeping 50 per cent U.S. tariffs imposed on roughly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods under President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada would match the American tariffs dollar for dollar after suspending trade negotiations with Washington.
Carney said Canadian negotiators had made progress toward an agreement, but last-minute changes proposed by the United States prevented the two countries from reaching a deal.
“However, last-minute changes in the U.S. proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal,” Carney said.
The prime minister said Canada’s objectives throughout the negotiations included preserving tariff-free access to the U.S. market for most Canadian businesses, reducing tariffs on strategic industries and protecting small and medium-sized businesses.
Carney said Canada had entered the negotiations recognizing its relationship with the United States had fundamentally changed.
“We have recognised from the beginning that America has changed, and that we will not return to our old relationship,” Carney said.
He said Canada’s goal remained securing the best agreement possible for Canadian workers and businesses rather than reaching an agreement simply to meet a deadline.
“Throughout, our goal has been to secure the best deal for Canadians, never a deal at any price or on any deadline,” Carney said.
The government says additional measures to support Canadian workers and businesses affected by the trade dispute will also be introduced, building on nearly $25 billion in support provided over the past 18 months.
The latest escalation has drawn criticism of the United States from both the federal government and Opposition Conservatives.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre described the American tariffs as unjustified and said they threaten Canadian jobs, businesses and families.
“Canadians must stand united to defend our country against these unfair attacks on our jobs and businesses,” Poilievre said in a statement following the U.S. decision.
“Canada cannot accept one-sided tariffs that will deindustrialize our country. Nor can we accept a bad deal. Instead, we must continue the fight for tariff-free trade.”
Poilievre said Conservatives support measures to protect Canadian industries targeted by U.S. tariffs, while also calling for domestic economic reforms.
Those proposals include eliminating the industrial carbon tax, repealing what Conservatives describe as anti-development laws, approving hundreds of projects awaiting federal decisions and introducing tax reforms aimed at attracting investment.
Poilievre also said he would seek discussions with Carney about Canada’s response to the trade dispute.
Carney, meanwhile, said Canada is responding to the changing relationship by strengthening its economy at home and expanding trade relationships beyond the United States.
The federal government says Canada already has preferential access to 1.5 billion consumers through existing free trade agreements and is working to double its access to international markets by the end of the year.
“Canada has what the world wants. And we will not allow any nation to determine our future,” Carney said. “We will set our own course to keep building Canada strong for all.”
Canada’s tariff response is scheduled to take effect Sept. 8.
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