WASHINGTON — Canada amped up its retaliatory measures against Donald Trump’s tariffs on Wednesday as the United States president brought his trade war to the world.
A 10 per cent baseline tariff on imports to the U.S. from most countries, and higher duties on dozens of nations, came into force just after midnight following days of turmoil in global markets.
“BE COOL! Everything is going to work out well. The USA will be bigger and better than ever before!” Trump posted on social media Wednesday morning.
Most stocks slumped after the levies kicked in, with the world’s two largest economies intensifying the tariff spat. Trump increased tariffs on Chinese goods to 104 per cent and Beijing responded with additional duties on U.S. imports — pushing its total tariffs on U.S. goods to 84 per cent.
While Canada isn’t being targeted by Trump’s global tariffs, the country is being hit by U.S. automobile, steel and aluminum tariffs and still faces the ongoing threat of economywide fentanyl-related tariffs.
Ottawa added to its retaliatory measures Wednesday in response to the automobile duties by implementing similar tariffs on vehicles imported from the United States. Unlike the American duties, Canada’s tariffs will not affect auto parts or Mexican vehicles and components.
“President Trump caused this trade crisis — and Canada is responding with purpose and with force,” Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media.
The European Union voted Wednesday to approve its first wave of retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s steel and aluminum duties.
On Tuesday, even as Trump boasted that dozens of countries have reached out to try to make deals, he also said the tariffs will stay in place to provide revenue.
Trump’s attempt to realign global trade is causing cracks to appear in Republican solidarity. Seven Republican senators appeared on Fox News’ Sean Hannity Show Tuesday and expressed some concern about the president’s tariff plans.
“Make deals and actually work to lower tariffs,” said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. “We are at a fork in the road.”
Cruz gave what he called a “word of warning.” He said there are people in the Trump administration who want tariffs as a permanent part of the economy.
“I think that would be a mistake,” Cruz said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 9, 2025.
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
