‘We will not back down’: Canada puts tariffs on US$12.6 billion of US goods, gives state support to local companies
Canada will apply a 25 per cent tariff on steel products, and 10 per cent on aluminium and consumer goods
Canada has slammed the US with counter-tariffs on C$16.6 billion (US$12.6 billion) of American goods, while pledging money to support companies and workers hurt by US levies on Canadian steel and aluminium exports.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland announced the final measures on Friday, saying that they would take effect on Canada’s July 1 national holiday. The tariffs mirror the value of those imposed by US President Donald Trump’s administration.
“We will not escalate, and we will not back down,” Freeland told reporters at a steel mill in Hamilton, Ontario. “We are acting in very close collaboration with our like-minded partners in the European Union and Mexico.”
She also reiterated the US measures are “illegal” and America has a trade surplus with Canada on iron and steel.
Justin Trudeau’s government will apply a 25 per cent tariff on steel products, and 10 per cent on aluminium and consumer goods. The list of more than 250 goods subject to Canadian duties include Florida orange juice, and Kentucky bourbon.