'We're not going to wait around': Ottawa to roll out business supports, moves to strengthen supply chains amid U.S. trade war

The federal jobs minister says Ottawa won’t be waiting around for stalled trade negotiations with the United States to play out, as the federal government prepares to roll out new supports for workers and businesses hit by U.S. tariffs in the coming days and moves to bolster coordination across Canadian supply chains.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said Monday that additional measures are coming “in very short order” to support small and medium-sized businesses impacted by the latest round of U.S.-imposed tariffs.

“This is about protecting, in many cases, small businesses,” Hadju said during an announcement at Mount Royal University in Calgary, calling small businesses “very important to the fabric of (Canada’s) economy.

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“We’ll be working with chambers of commerce, with the regional economic development agencies, and many other partners to make sure that we can support our very hardworking small and medium-sized businesses through this very tough time.”

The minister’s comments followed what she described as a “very challenging 48 hours” for Canadians.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Monday to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian autos, trucks and auto parts, days after trade talks between the two countries collapsed.

Canada and the U.S. were close to a potential trade agreement on Friday, with negotiators seeking relief for Canadian steel, aluminum, autos and lumber from Section 232 tariffs, and the avoidance of Section 338 tariffs on nearly $29 billion worth of Canadian goods.

However, Carney suspended trade talks late Friday evening, citing several last-minute demands from the U.S. that made a deal untenable for Canada.

The 50 per-cent tariffs under Section 338 of the Trade Act of 1930 came into effect at midnight on Friday. The prime minister has promised to match those tariffs “dollar for dollar” with retaliatory measures set to take effect Sept. 8.

Trump seemed to escalated his aggressive rhetoric toward Canada on Monday, calling Canada “entitled” in terms of trade talks.

“On Trade, and in other ways, also, they are among the worst Nations in the World to deal with,” said Trump in a post on Truth Social. “They feel entitled, and yet, WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!”

Hajdu on Monday said she remains confident in Canada’s negotiating team but indicated that Ottawa isn’t pinning its economic strategy on the outcome of potential talks.