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Trump slaps 50% tariffs on Canada and Carney vows to 'intensify' trade talks

BBC News · back to the audit
US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada, in retaliation for what he called 'unequal treatment' of US cars, dairy and alcohol. Everyday consumer items like wine and hockey sticks, as well as industrial goods such as cement, are on the target list. Several key exports, though, will be spared, including energy, potash, critical minerals and fish. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had spoken to Trump and both leaders agreed to 'intensify' trade talks in a bid to calm growing trade tensions between the North American neighbours. But he warned 'all options' were on the table in terms of how Canada could respond to the fresh tariff threat. Since the tariff war broke out more than 18 months ago, Carney said, Canadians have 'stood together' by buying home-produced goods and agreeing new trade routes with other countries. '[The] country is stronger, stronger because we are united, and we will remain united,' he told reporters. Asked about the latest tariffs, which the White House says will take effect in 30 days, on Tuesday, President Trump said Canada had been 'very, very tough on us over the years' and 'no other presidents done anything about it'. 'I love Canada, I love the people of Canada, many friends that live in Canada,' he said. 'Without us, there's no way they can survive.' Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that if the US goes ahead with its latest threat, 'Canada should respond tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar'. A White House fact sheet said the new tariffs applied regardless of whether the product was included under the existing free trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico, known as the USMCA. But Carney said the move was the 'latest in a series of unilateral US trade actions that began with the US imposing a series of tariffs in direct violation' of the USMCA. Carney said he had spoken to Trump and both leaders agreed to intensify trade talks in a bid to calm growing trade tensions between the North American neighbours.