Incoming Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said his government will keep tariffs in place until Americans show respect and commit to free trade after US President Donald Trump threatened historic financial devastation for Canada.
Mr Carney, who will be sworn in as Justin Trudeau’s replacement in the coming days, said Mr Trump’s latest tariffs are an attack on Canadian workers, families, and businesses.
“My government will ensure our response has maximum impact in the US and minimal impact here in Canada, while supporting the workers impacted,” Mr Carney said.
He added: “My government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect and make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade.”
Donald Trump has continued to call for Canada to become part of the United States (Ben Curtis/AP)
Mr Trump said on Tuesday that he will double his planned tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25% to 50% for Canada, escalating a trade war with the United States’ northern neighbour and showing an indifference to recent stock market turmoil and rising recession risks.
Mr Trump said on social media that the increase of the tariffs set to take effect on Wednesday is a response to the price increases that the provincial government of Ontario put on electricity sold to the United States.
The US president condemned the use of electricity “as a bargaining chip and threat”, saying in a separate social media post on Tuesday that Canada “will pay a financial price for this so big that it will be read about in History Books for many years to come!”
Mr Trump continued to call for Canada to become part of the United States as a solution, words that have infuriated Canadians.
“The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State,” Mr Trump posted on Tuesday. “This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear.”