OTTAWA – In a swift retaliation to the United States’ recent imposition of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, the Canadian government announced a series of counter‑tariffs targeting U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans, pork, and dairy.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told a press conference that the measures are “proportionate and necessary” to protect Canadian producers from the economic fallout of the U.S. actions, which were justified by Washington as a response to alleged unfair trade practices.
The new tariffs, ranging from 10 % to 25 %, will take effect on September 1. Canadian farmers’ groups welcomed the move, saying it will help level the playing field for domestic producers who have faced steep competition from subsidized U.S. imports.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai responded that the United States “remains open to dialogue” and hopes both countries can resolve the dispute through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation framework, now known as the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Analysts warn that the escalating tit‑for‑tat measures could ripple through supply chains, raising costs for manufacturers and consumers on both sides of the border. The World Trade Organization has urged both governments to seek a negotiated settlement to avoid a broader trade war.
Meanwhile, the European Union has offered to act as a mediator, proposing a series of bilateral talks aimed at restoring confidence in North American trade relations.