This move comes in response to the Trump administration’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, despite Canada being the largest foreign supplier of these materials to the U.S.

Canada Strikes Back in Trade Dispute

Canada’s Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, confirmed that the tariffs would take effect immediately. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasized that Ottawa had engaged in talks with the Trump administration, seeking the removal of U.S. tariffs. She reiterated that Canada’s countermeasures would remain in place for as long as necessary.

LeBlanc urged the U.S. government to respect the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was renegotiated during Trump’s first term and signed under his administration. He also assured Canadian businesses and workers that the government would take steps to mitigate the economic impact of the tariffs, including support for affected industries and assistance in accessing new markets.

Foreign Minister Slams Trump’s Economic Tactics

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly issued a sharp rebuke of Trump’s trade policies, urging Americans to tell their representatives that they do not support his escalating trade war with Canada.

“The only constant in this unjustified trade war appears to be President Trump’s rhetoric about annexing our country through economic coercion,” Joly stated. “Yesterday, he called our border a ‘made-up line’ and repeated his disrespectful comments about Canada as the ‘51st state.’ Well, Canadians have made it clear—we will not back down, and we will not be bullied.”

Addressing Americans directly, Joly underscored Canada’s deep economic and cultural ties with its southern neighbor.

“Canada is your best friend, your best neighbor, and your best ally. Many of us have family on both sides of the border. Canada is also America’s largest customer—we buy more U.S. goods than the UK, France, China, and Japan combined. For generations, we have built a partnership that is the envy of the world,” she said.

“This is not Canada raising your food prices, gas costs, or manufacturing expenses. This is not Canada putting American jobs at risk. And this is certainly not Canada starting this fight. President Trump’s tariffs are to blame, and in a trade war, there are no winners,” Joly concluded.