Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday said that US President Donald Trump‘s decision to impose fresh 50% tariffs on select Canadian goods is a “direct violation” of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).He further said that the government would continue to support the country’s workers, businesses and families. His remarks came after Trump’s latest tariffs targeted a range of Canadian exports, including motor vehicles, dairy products and alcoholic beverages, escalating trade tensions between the two neighbouring countries.In a statement posted on X, Carney said the latest US action was part of a series of unilateral trade measures that violated the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).“This is the latest in a series of unilateral US trade actions that began with the US imposing a series of tariffs in direct violation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the free trade agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico,” he said.“These include tariffs on the Canadian auto sector, in violation of CUSMA. Canada, as is its right, has merely matched those measures,” Carney added referring to earlier US tariffs on Canada’s automobile sector.The Canadian prime minister said the tariffs and repeated threats to Canada’s sovereignty had united the country.“In response to these measures and threats to Canadian sovereignty, provinces, territories, Canadians from coast to coast to coast have stood together, taking the necessary actions to support our economy and defend our workers, farmers, businesses, and families,” he said.Carney said Canada had put forward detailed proposals to resolve the dispute and modernise CUSMA, adding that Ottawa remained open to negotiations.“Recognising that the US has been transforming all of its trade relationships, including those covered under CUSMA, over the past 18 months, Canada has made a series of detailed and comprehensive proposals to resolve this dispute and to modernise CUSMA. We stand ready to intensify those discussions in the coming weeks,” he said.Reiterating Canada’s commitment to open markets, Carney said, “Canada believes in the benefits of free and fair trade, as evidenced by our new government signing more than 20 new economic and security partnerships. This trade dispute has raised costs for families, particularly in the US Canada stands ready to engage intensively to address outstanding issues with the US to the mutual benefit of our citizens.”He added, “In all circumstances, Canada will work relentlessly and take any measures necessary to build our strength at home and to support Canadian workers, farmers, businesses, and families.”Carney’s remarks came after the White House announced a fresh round of 50% tariffs on several Canadian imports, saying the move was in response to what it described as Canada’s “discriminatory treatment” of American products, particularly in the automobile, dairy and alcoholic beverage sectors.President Trump signed three proclamations under Section 338 of the Trade Act of 1930, with the tariffs set to take effect 30 days after signing, leaving room for possible negotiations, ANI reported. According to the White House, the new tariffs will apply to most Canadian goods but will exempt energy products, potash, fish and critical minerals.
