Canada responded to US President Donald Trump’s broad import tariffs on Tuesday, claiming the American levy was an existential threat that needed to be addressed right away.
The first steps taken by Canada include a set of counter-tariffs that will be implemented in two stages and target particular American goods, in addition to other actions that the provinces have outlined.
Trump levied 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports, with the exception of energy supplies, which were subject to a 10% tax.
In response, Canada imposed a 25% duty on CAN$30 billion ($20.8 billion) worth of US imports.
Tariffs on an additional CAN$125 billion worth of US imports will go into effect in 21 days, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The government retaliatory tariffs will stay in effect until the US penalties are lifted, according to the departing Canadian premier.
A list of dozens of targeted US products has been made public by Ottawa.
They consist of a variety of food items, such as meat, poultry, dairy, and produce.
The list also includes apparel, cosmetics, and household goods.
The federal government has clarified that it is avoiding products that have a direct impact on Canadian business and is instead focusing on those for which Canadian customers can select regional substitutes.
Several Canadian provinces have banned the sale of alcohol items from the United States as part of their own retaliatory actions.
Premier Doug Ford of Ontario stated, “This is an enormous hit to American producers,” when he announced the actions taken by the biggest province in Canada.
According to Ford, the provincial retailers in Ontario sell around $1 billion Canadian dollars ($688 million) worth of US alcoholic beverages annually.
While British Columbia declared that its liquor distributor would “stop buying American liquor from’red states’,” meaning states that supported Trump’s Republican Party, Quebec and Manitoba have also announced similar actions.
Additionally, Ford promised a 25 percent increase in the electricity that Ontario supplies to 1.5 million homes across many states in the United States.
During the trade war, Trudeau tried to reassure Canadians that the federal government will support individuals whose livelihoods are negatively impacted.
“We will use every tool at our disposal so Canadian workers and businesses can weather this storm, from expanding (employment) benefits and making them more flexible to providing direct supports to businesses,” Trudeau stated.
“No matter how long this lasts, no matter what the cost, the federal government and other orders of government will be there for you,” he stated.
*
Email *
Website
