Trump hits back at Canada after retaliatory tariffs announcement

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump retaliated against Canada after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced new tariffs on the United States in response to trade negotiations falling apart. Trump expressed frustration on Truth Social, questioning why Canada wants to enjoy the benefits of statehood without actually being one. He also vowed to stop charging Canadian farmers excessive tariffs.

Carney announced on Saturday that the new Canadian tariffs would take effect on September 8, primarily targeting US steel and dairy industries. The new 50% US tariffs, impacting about $20 billion worth of goods or 5.5% of Canadian exports to the US, began on Saturday. Impacted products included hockey sticks and cement.

Carney stated that these new tariffs were in response to the US setting conditions that were economically unjust, unfair, and undermined the benefits for Canada. He emphasized that Canada could not accept the terms offered by the US and would not reciprocate. US Trade Representative Jamie Greer told the New York Times that the US had proposed reducing tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos, as well as eliminating a recent lumber tariff on Canada, which would have granted Canada the most preferential treatment among all trading partners. Greer did not mention any plans for further talks with Canadian negotiators.

A senior US official described the recent talks in Washington as candid, without adding any negative connotations.