Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that he and US President Donald Trump have agreed to intensify trade negotiations after the US imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods. The tariffs, which exclude energy products, potash, fish, and critical minerals, are set to come into effect 30 days from Monday.

Impact on Canada

Canadian economists estimate that the tariffs will affect around 5% of Canada’s exports to the US, worth approximately $28 billion Canadian ($19.8 billion US) annually. The tariffs will cover a wide range of goods, including honey, liquor, cement, and hockey sticks.

Canadian premiers have criticized the tariffs, with British Columbia Premier David Eby calling them an “increasingly desperate and flailing approach” to relationships with Canada. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe noted that tariffs hurt both countries, increasing costs for families and businesses on both sides of the border.

US-Canada Trade Relations

The US did not renew the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), triggering a new set of negotiations that could run until 2036. Trump has claimed that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol, and dairy products, and that the tariffs are necessary to protect US interests.

Carney has vowed to support Canadian jobs, workers, and farmers, and to make Canada stronger and more resilient. The Canadian government is expected to take a strong stance in the upcoming trade negotiations, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford urging Canada to stand up to Trump and “hit him tariff to tariff, all the way across the board”.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.