Canada ready to respond to new US tariffs, PM Carney says

Canada is prepared to respond to new US tariffs if the two countries fail to reach a trade agreement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday after meeting Canada's premiers in Charlottetown at the conclusion of their annual provincial and territorial leaders' conference, he said if they do not reach an agreement, they are prepared to consider all response options, which will depend on the outcome of the negotiations, Caliber.Az reports, citing Canadian media.

“We don’t need to respond in advance,” he said. “In fact, I think it would be counterproductive at this stage to respond in advance.”

“It’s important to know what your options are, to have worked it through, to have shared, as it affects certain provinces or they have perspectives directly, and be united in that response,” he added.

Carney reiterated that Canada's negotiating position remains flexible if talks with Washington fail to produce an agreement before the tariffs come into force.

“Everything is on the table, depending on the outcome of the negotiations, yes,” he said.

Opening the post-meeting news conference, Carney described the discussions with provincial and territorial leaders as an example of Canada's federal system working effectively, emphasising national unity in responding to the latest U.S. trade measures.

“Let’s be clear about how Canada is responding,” he said. “Yes, we are intensifying our negotiations with the United States in pursuit of a comprehensive agreement that addresses all tariff-related sectors."

On July 21, US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 50% tariff on Canadian imports in response to Canada's measures targeting US goods.

The new tariffs will not apply to energy products, potash, seafood or critical minerals.

They are scheduled to take effect on August 19.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov