Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned the U.S. 50 per cent trade tariff, saying it violates the free trade agreement between Canada, America, and Mexico.

“Today, the United States administration announced its intention to impose a new 50% tariff on a significant number of Canadian goods. 

“This is the latest in a series of unilateral U.S. trade actions that began with the U.S. 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.

“These include tariffs on the Canadian auto sector, in violation of CUSMA. Canada, as is its right, has merely matched those measures,” said Mr Carney, in a statement on Monday, reacting to the tariff.

The Canadian leader noted that in response to “these measures and threats to Canadian sovereignty, provinces, territories, and 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”. 

Mr Carney pointed out that the U.S. “has been transforming all of its trade relationships, including those covered under CUSMA, over the past 18 months” and 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,” stated Mr Carney.

He reiterated Canada’s belief in the benefits of free and fair trade, as evidenced by “our new government signing more than 20 new economic and security partnerships”. 

However, Mr Carney acknowledged that “this trade dispute has raised costs for families, particularly in the U.S.” and that Canada “stands ready to engage intensively to address outstanding issues with the U.S. to the mutual benefit of our citizens”. 

U.S. President Donald Trump slammed an additional 50 per cent tariff on Canada, citing discriminatory treatment of U.S. commerce, brands and products.