France 24 is reporting that the trade dispute between the United States and Canada has deepened, with President Donald Trump criticizing Canada after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs. Negotiations between the two countries broke down Friday in Washington, leading to new 50% U.S. tariffs impacting approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, including hockey sticks and cement.
Carney announced Canada's new tariffs on Saturday, which will target U.S. steel and dairy industries and take effect Sept. 8. He said Canada walked away from a "bad deal" because the U.S. proposed "uneconomic, unfair" terms that undermined benefits for Canada and questioned the reliability of any agreement. Carney also stated that U.S. negotiators introduced restrictions on Canadian trade deals with other countries and made "threats" to the French language and Quebec culture.
President Trump responded Sunday, stating on Truth Social that "Canada wants the benefits of being a State, without being one!!!" He also accused Canada of charging U.S. farmers "massive amounts of Tariffs" for many years. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told the New York Times that the U.S. had offered to reduce its tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos, and eliminate a tariff on Canadian lumber, which would have given Canada "the most preferential treatment of any trading partner." Greer told Fox News that Washington was "moving forward with measures that respond to Canadian retaliation" and no new talks were planned.
Democratic lawmakers and governors from border states, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, criticized Trump, blaming him for triggering chaos that will raise costs on U.S. businesses and families. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canadians must remain united, calling Trump untrustworthy. The Business Roundtable, representing leading U.S. corporations, warned the new tariffs "risk raising costs for American businesses and families" and urged both governments to resume negotiations.