SOURCE: BBC
Canada announces $20bn of retaliatory tariffs on US goods as a trade war between the two countries escalates – here’s what we know
Measures beyond counter-tariffs to “protect and support Canadian workers and businesses” are also being rolled out
“We’re not going to bend, we’re not going to break, we’re going to build,” says Evan Solomon, minister for AI and digital innovation
It’s a punchy response to US tariffs, in a move that will lead to pain on both sides of the border, writes our business correspondent Michael Race
The US announced a 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods after trade talks collapsed at the weekend and US President Donald Trump further threatened to hike tariffs on Canadian vehicles to 50% from 1 January
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Trump of trying to “destroy” the country’s auto industry – their relationship has deteriorated significantly
The US tariffs on Canada aren’t just a trade crisis for those two nations, they affect all of North America and all three signatories of the USMCA free trade agreement. That includes Mexico.
So far, the Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has remained typically guarded. In her morning press briefing earlier this week, she said she remained “optimistic that an agreement could be reached”.
Sheinbaum remains upbeat, at least publicly, that Mexico enjoys “some of the lowest tariffs in the world”.
However, in a sign of the concerns on the Mexican side, she also despatched her Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard to Washington for an emergency talks.
Mexico has headaches of its own with Washington. Tariffs remain in place at the rate of 50% on steel and aluminium, and 25% on automobiles and car parts. So far, the diplomatic effort to reduce those figures have borne no fruit.
Certainly, the stakes remain high. Mexico is the United States’ top trading partner with around $900bn USD in annual trade and over 80% of Mexican exports heading to the US market.
Washington’s relations with Ottawa have been frostier under the Trump Administration than they have with Mexico, and President Trump has repeatedly praised Sheinbaum as a partner he can work with.
However, the 1 July deadline for USMCA re-negotiation passed without agreement. There is no guarantee that Mexico can always avoid the imposition of more tariffs if the Trump administration decides its trade deficit with its southern neighbour merits them. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is next asked what she makes of Trump’s comments around the French language in Canada.
It comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney had said one of the sticking points in reaching a trade deal was a US request for Canada to drop its requirement of American businesses to write manuals and labels in French for Quebec consumers – something US negotiators have denied.
Earlier today, the US President said he would “never interfere with Canadians speaking French”, insisting “I love French Canadians”.
Joly says having two official languages – English and French – is at the “core of the creation of our country” and is part of its DNA.
Making sure Canada is able to make its own decision when it comes to the protection of bilingualism is key, she adds.
Canadian ministers today announced the country’s response to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs – here’s a recap:
Canada announces $20bn of retaliatory tariffs on US goods including milk, steel, clothing and plywood
Counter-tariffs of 15%, 25%, or 50% will be imposed on some imports from the US – – here’s a closer look at which goods are impacted
It will effectively match US tariffs – imposed by Trump – “dollar-for-dollar”, Canada’s finance minister says
A package of measures aimed at supporting business and workers will include an investment of C$1.5 billion (around $1bn) for small and medium-sized businesses
Back to the news conference now, where the Canadian ministers we’ve just heard from are taking questions.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is asked why the government is not bringing Canadian exports levies against Canadian energy or potash, which are two areas critical to the US economy.
Champagne responds by saying they have been proportionate in their response, and have been in this trade conflict for quite some time, so know what products need to be tariffed.
He says the new tariffs imposed by the US are going to be “disproportionately affecting” small and medium-sized businesses.
Champagne says this is why they’ve announced a “substantial support package” and they are focused on ensuring companies can be competitive in the Canadian market.
“That’s what’s driving our response, That’s what is going to drive our response for the days and weeks ahead,” he says.
Now that Canada has announced its dollar for dollar retaliatory tariffs, the escalation of this trade war could not have come at a worse time for Republicans.
The potential fallout threatens a bunch of those states that could decide control of the US Senate.
Maine, Ohio, Michigan and Alaska rely on industries like fisheries, auto parts and lumber that cross the northern border – and all feature competitive Senate races.
Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins, one of Democrats’ top targets this year, warned the fallout would hurt US businesses and consumers, citing lobsters and blueberries. Iowa, even though it’s not a border state, counts Canada as one of its more important export markets.
One key respected tracker of electoral races recently pushed Iowa from the lean Republican column, into the toss-up column.
With affordability dominating voters’ minds, Republicans defending not just Senate seats, but also their narrow majority in the House could well do without this flare up with their neighbour to the north.
Patty Hajdu, the minister for jobs and families, says it’s not the first time Canada has faced “unjust” tariffs.
She then outlines the measures the government has already taken to protect jobs and businesses.
Now, Canada will “double down” and invest an additional $3.5bn to “provide the stability” for individuals and the economy, Hadju continues.
She says the government will also enhance worker retention and retraining programmes, so that employees can keep their jobs even when businesses are struggling.
Canadian ministers have just announced a package of measures aimed at supporting businesses and workers in the wake of fresh tariffs imposed by the US.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the measures included:
An additional C$1.5 billion (around $1bn USD) investment to help small and medium-sized businesses, including liquidity supports to manage the pressures related to tariffs
A new C$500 million liquidity stream to help businesses “manage immediate cash-flow pressures in addition to targeted programs for the forestry, steel and aluminium sectors”
Lowering the minimum revenue requirement for applicants of the Business Development Bank of Canada’s tariff related programs to C$1 million
An additional C$2 billion investment to support tariff-affected businesses “with shovel-ready projects that support ongoing capital maintenance”
A new suite of C$3.5 billion Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers to help Canadians affected by
Placing taxes on trade between what are historically two of the world’s closest trading partners will undoubtedly lead to pain on both sides of the border.
Supply chains which have been developed over decades are set to see increased trading costs due the latest tariff announcements made from both the US and Canada, ultimately hitting businesses of all sizes and consumers through potentially higher prices.
Today, Canada has levied import taxes on goods ranging from fish, cheese and milk to plywood, toilet paper and even knives and forks being imported to the country from the US.
The list is 99 pages is long and a punchy response to the fresh wave of US tariffs on a wide array of Canadian goods coming into effect on Saturday.
Canada has shown it can pack a punch in this trade war to date through the decision by most provinces to ban American alcohol from liquor stores last year, which dealt a heavy blow to the US industry, with US wine exports plunging.
But America’s might as the world’s largest economy gives it increased clout to not only hit back, but perhaps weather more easily the economic pain.
Only time will tell which industries are hit hardest, but it’s clear this trade war has reached a flashpoint.
Mélanie Joly pleads with Canadians: “If you see a Canadian product, please support it.”
“When you choose a Canadian product you’re not only putting pressure on the US, right now, you are protecting jobs.”
She says this is what people can do to launch “a movement of resistance” against the tariffs imposed by the US.
“We cannot wait for Washington to decide our future, we’re strengthening our economy, and building a more sovereign Canada.”:28
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly outlines further details about the government’s C$7.5bn package of new enhanced measures to support workers and businesses.
It will give small businesses access to C$3m ($2.1m) of non-repayable loans and up to C$2m ($1.4m) of interest free loans, she says, adding that businesses that will have access are those that have around $1m ($722k) in revenues.
She acknowledges that business leaders and workers across the country are anxious and concerned, but says we will protect them and your jobs.15:20
Finance Minister Champagne says counter-tariffs are only one part of Canada’s response.
He adds the government must also provide businesses with liquidity and keep Canadians working, and that his colleagues will outline more “new and very substantive” measures.
Champagne concludes by saying that when the US “asked too much and offered too little, we chose Canada”.
Industry minister Mélanie Joly is now at the podium.
Mark Carney has followed through on his threat to match Donald Trump’s tariffs “dollar for dollar”.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the US goods included:
A 50% tariff on steel and aluminum products that were previously only subject to a 25% counter tariff
A 50% tariff on various other goods including natural honey, furniture, clothing and apparel
A 25% tariff on goods including appliances, dairy products, such as cheese, fish and seafood, and certain steel and aluminum derivative products
A 15% tariff on certain types of tools and machinery, including forklifts and air conditioning machines
Shortly before announcing $20bn of retaliatory tariffs on US goods, François-Philippe Champagne said Canada is facing an “unprecedented challenge” but adds “Canadians will meet the moment”.
He says targeted counter measures also include a C$7.5bn ($5.4bn) supportive package for workers and businesses.
When Canada stands together nothing can stop us, he adds.
As a reminder, you can watch the news conference live at the top of this page.
We’ve just heard an update from Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
Canada says it will effectively match US tariffs “dollar-for-dollar” and impose counter levies on American steel, dairy, appliances and a range of other goods.
The latest action is in response to 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on a small percentage of Canadian goods as of Friday after trade talks collapsed, in addition to existing US tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium, automobiles and lumber.
Around C$28bn – roughly $20bn USD – worth of American imports will be tariffed by Canada by a range of 15% to 50%, with the levies set to take effect at midnight on 8 September.
US officials were reportedly surprised that Canada walked away from trade negotiations over the weekend.
The next step for America’s northern neighbour, to announce a series of targeted retaliatory tariffs, has been telegraphed for days, however.
It represents the latest ratcheting up of a growing dispute between two nations that, combined, account for more $872bn in bilateral trade in goods and services.
Donald Trump has sharpened his rhetoric, repeatedly accusing Canada of “ripping off” the US. But the political fallout here in America is likely to be damaging to his Republican Party.
While there are certain segments of the US economy that will ultimately benefit from the administration’s confrontational approach to trade negotiations, the pain will be more widely shared – particularly in states like Michigan and Ohio, which depend heavily on trade with Canada.
Midwest states in particular have been a key part of Trump’s political coalition – and will be prominent battlegrounds in November’s midterm congressional elections – raising the stakes for the administration as it seeks to prevail in what is becoming an increasingly contentious economic confrontation.
In the next few minutes, several Canadian officials will announce the country’s response to Trump’s tariffs.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne will be joined by other ministers to outline measures that will be taken to “protect and support Canadian workers and businesses”.
We’re expecting the news conference to get under way at 11:00 ET (16:00 BST) – part of the update will be in French.
