Mark Carney Defends 155B Tariff Countermeasure Against U.S. Steel Duties
Prime Minister Mark Carney has defended Canada’s retaliatory $155 billion tariff package in response to the United States’ latest steel and aluminum duties, saying Canada will not be “economically bullied.”
Just days after the U.S. government reimposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, Ottawa responded with a sweeping $155 billion countermeasure targeting American goods including cars, agricultural products, and machinery.
Prime Minister Carney, speaking from Ottawa on Saturday afternoon, said, “We will not allow Canadian industries to be sacrificed for someone else’s political leverage. This tariff package is about sovereignty, fairness, and standing our ground.”
The move has drawn applause from Canadian manufacturers and unions, who claim the federal response is long overdue. However, it has also raised eyebrows in business circles due to the sheer scale of the retaliatory duties.
U.S. officials have described the Canadian response as “aggressive” and warned it may escalate tensions further, jeopardizing future trade talks. However, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly defended the action, citing repeated violations of trade agreements by the U.S.
In the House of Commons, Conservative MPs supported the countermeasure but urged the government to ensure small businesses are not caught in the crossfire. “The U.S. has tested our patience. We must now protect our industries — but also be strategic,” said MP Michael Chong.