Canada’s Carney refuses to take Trump’s ‘bait’, confronting US in trade war

The prime minister’s tough stance on Washington draws strong support from the Canadian public and politicians despite the economic risks

Siding with Canadians weary of provocations from Washington, Prime Minister Mark Carney stood up to US President Donald Trump, rejecting what he called an “unfair” trade deal – a gamble that could prove economically risky.

“We will not allow any nation to determine our future. We will set our own course to keep building Canada strong for all,” Carney said on Friday, as negotiations for a bilateral trade deal were crumbling.

After weeks of talks with US officials in an effort to avoid punitive duties, Carney walked away just ahead of the deadline set by Trump.

That triggered 50 per cent US tariffs affecting some US$20 billion worth of goods, from hockey sticks to cement, effective Saturday.

Carney then announced retaliatory duties on US goods, notably steel and dairy products, to take effect on September 8.

“Our government understood before many that America would transform all of its commercial relationships, that it would put a series of tariffs on its closest allies, and use economic integration as a weapon,” Carney said on Saturday.