While Canada was exempt from U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest round of sweeping global tariffs, this country did not get off scot-free.
Trump presented a billboard-type chart with tariff amounts levied by many countries, such as several European and Asian nations, against product from the United States. His financial penalty will be in the order of roughly 50 per cent of what foreign countries charge.
“In other words, they charge us, we charge them,” said Trump. “We charge them less so how can anyone be upset? They will be because we never charge anybody anything, but now we’re gonna charge.”
Canada was not on Trump’s billboard list, however the President announced 25 per cent tariff on all foreign automobiles entering the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaking at the Rose Garden on April 2, 2025. (C-SPAN)
He complained that Canada taxes dairy products from the U.S. entering Canada of 250-300 per cent, but he did not immediately slap on any tariff.
Trump also repeated claims that the United States is subsidizing several countries, including Canada.
He said the U.S. will no longer cover the deficits of other countries.
Trump called NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, the worst such deal ever put in place.
His objective is that all products sold in the U.S. are manufactured in the U.S.
Prime Minister Mark Carney (CPAC)
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the tariffs hitting aluminum and steel remain in place. There will also be tariffs applied to strategic sectors including lumber and pharmaceuticals. In all, millions of Canadians will be affected.
Carney says “we will protect our workers and build the strongest economy in the G7.”
The Prime Minister will be meeting with the premiers Thursday morning, after which there will be a response from Canada on the U.S. market access fees.
