CDN NEWS | 
US NEWS 
Trade negotiations between Canada and the US have ground to a halt.
As a result, 50% tariffs came into effect early this morning, impacting nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has recalled Canadian trade officials back to Ottawa. He’s speaking in Ottawa on the matter later this morning. Following the suspension of trade negotiations, he says Canada is prepared to respond with reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney termed last minute U.S. demands as “unfair” and “uneconomic,” leading Canada to suspend negotiations.
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, Mark Carney saying, “I have directed Canada’s negotiators to return to Ottawa. They have worked hard in good faith to defend the interests of Canadians throughout these negotiations, right up until the very last minute. Carney went on to say, “The U.S. intends to impose a 50% tariff on roughly 28 billion dollars of Canadian goods. Canada will match those tariffs dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses.”
U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer also responded to the suspended trade talks, saying, “Despite the U.S. offer to Canada to receive the best treatment of any major exporter to our market, new demands and walk backs of other commitments by Canada have offended the careful balance reached in the past days. This is a missed opportunity for Canada to partner with the United States.”
Officials earlier this week on both sides were sounding optimistic that a deal that worked for both countries was within reach. Negotiators were reportedly discussing a deal that would have cut U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 50 to 25 percent and on Canadian autos from 25 to 15 percent. In return, Carney was asking Canadian provinces to put U.S. alcohol back on store shelves.
Meanwhile, the U.S. was pushing Canada to drop its remaining retaliatory tariffs on American autos and give U.S. cheese producers greater access to the Canadian market.
Canada’s premiers are weighing in on the breakdown in Canada-U.S. trade talks. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling for negotiations to resume. In a statement on social media, Smith says she is deeply disappointed. “No one benefits from a trade war. Tariffs and counter-tariffs hurt businesses, workers, and families on both sides of the border. I will be urging the federal government to restart negotiations as soon as possible.”
Following Danielle Smith’s response, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is also weighing in on the breakdown in those talks, standing behind Canada’s response and stressing the importance of protecting Canadian workers and businesses.
BC Premier David Eby also responding, posting on social media following the suspension of the negotiations, saying, “British Columbians will always stand with Canada. Our politeness should never be mistaken for weakness. We’ll always defend ourselves. We didn’t ask for this, but we’ll keep fighting for it as long as it takes.”
When negotiations could resume is anyone’s guess. But one thing appears to be next. Retaliatory tariffs by Canada. Stay tuned…
Share This:
