Carney weighs response as US moves toward 50% Canada tariffs
What's next: The tariffs are due to take effect Aug. 19 as Ottawa keeps trade talks alive and holds back an immediate retaliation.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa has several options if the United States follows through on an additional 50% tariff on Canadian goods, but he held off on promising an immediate response while trade negotiations continue. The US move, set to take effect Aug. 19, was framed by Washington as a response to what it called unequal Canadian treatment of US autos, dairy and alcohol. Carney said Canada was prepared to defend its interests and that provincial and territorial leaders were aligned on the seriousness of any response. The new threat adds to existing US tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, copper, softwood lumber and some auto parts, deepening pressure on cross-border trade.