Canada Strikes Back: Retaliatory Tariffs in Wake of US Trade War

In response to US President Donald Trump's new tariffs on Canadian metals, Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs on $29.8 billion worth of US goods. Canadian ministers criticize Trump’s actions as unjustified, with concerns over increased costs for US industries heavily reliant on Canadian imports.

In a significant escalation of trade tensions, Canada's federal government has retaliated against the United States by imposing tariffs on $29.8 billion worth of American goods. This move, reported by CBC News, comes as a direct response to US President Donald Trump's decision to levy tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc condemned Trump's actions as 'unjustified and unjustifiable,' emphasizing Canada's resolve to defend its key industries. He announced the tariff targets, which include U.S.-produced steel and aluminium, computers, sports gear, and specific cast iron items, among others.

Simultaneously embroiled in a broader trade conflict, these latest tariffs arrive on the heels of previous US measures intended to pressure Canada regarding border control policies. Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly dismissed Trump's 'national security threat' justification as unfounded, denouncing the tactic as economic coercion that Canada would resist.

Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne highlighted the critical dependency of US manufacturers on Canadian materials, noting that the increased costs due to tariffs would be significant. With the US sourcing a substantial percentage of its aluminum from Quebec, the trade friction presents a formidable challenge, underscoring Canada's need for greater economic resilience.

(With inputs from agencies.)