Trump Imposes New Tariffs on Canadian Goods Following Critical Advertisement
WASHINGTON – Donald Trump announced a 10% increase in customs duties on imports from Canada Saturday, escalating trade tensions following the broadcast of an advertisement critical of his policies. The move threatens to disrupt a $790 billion annual trade relationship and comes just weeks before a planned meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump at the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. Trump stated he has “no intention of discussing” with or meeting Carney.
The tariffs, impacting goods outside the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) framework, represent a meaningful shift in trade policy.While the USMCA exempts many goods, Canadian imports previously faced maximum duties of 25% (reduced to 10% for energy and potash). This latest action is expected to further strain the Canadian economy, which has already experienced job losses and business pressures due to existing surcharges. Canada is the second largest trading partner of the United States and a major supplier of steel and aluminum to American companies.
Prior to the declaration, a bilateral meeting between Carney and Trump was scheduled for the APEC summit. Carney, speaking Friday before departing for Asia, acknowledged progress in discussions but conceded, “We cannot control US trade policy,” while reaffirming CanadaS commitment to diversifying trade relationships.
The escalation follows the airing of an advertisement perceived as critical of Trump. The White House has not directly linked the ad to the tariff announcement, but the timing suggests a retaliatory measure. The World with AFP reports that the surcharges have already had a negative impact on Ottawa.
