- Trump announces 35% tariffs on Canadian imports starting Aug. 1, citing fentanyl and retaliation.
- Canadian PM Mark Carney defends Ottawa’s stance, saying progress has been made on fentanyl.
- Trump warns of higher tariffs if Canada responds with new duties.
Trump Slaps 35% Tariff on Canadian Imports
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the U.S. will impose a steep 35% tariff on all Canadian imports starting August 1. The announcement, made via a public letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Truth Social, comes amid escalating tensions over trade. Trump criticized Ottawa for retaliating against earlier U.S. tariffs, stating that Canada “chose retaliation over cooperation.”
Fentanyl Blamed Amid Trade Spat
Trump also cited the fentanyl crisis as a driving factor behind the move, linking Canada to what he described as failures in preventing the flow of the deadly drug. His framing positions the tariffs as a matter of national health and security, not just trade policy. In response, PM Carney pushed back, stating that Canada has made “vital progress to stop the scourge of fentanyl in North America.”
More Tariffs Threatened If Canada Hits Back
The White House signaled that further tariffs could be in store if Canada retaliates again. Trump warned that any countermeasures would lead to “even higher levies,” escalating the possibility of a full-blown trade war between the two countries. The dispute adds new volatility to North American trade dynamics, just as both economies navigate inflationary pressures and global instability.
