Canada ready to engage to resolve trade dispute: Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has released a carefully worded statement responding to the Trump administration announcing 50 per cent tariffs on a number of Canadian goods.
“This is the latest in a series of unilateral U.S. trade actions that began with the U.S. imposing a series of tariffs in direct violation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the free trade agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico,” Carney said.
“These include tariffs on the Canadian auto sector, in violation of CUSMA. Canada, as is its right, has merely matched those measures.”
Carney said Canada was united in response to these “threats to Canadian sovereignty” and was taking action to protect its economy and citizens.
“Recognizing that the U.S. has been transforming all of its trade relationships, including those covered under CUSMA, over the past 18 months, Canada has made a series of detailed and comprehensive proposals to resolve this dispute and to modernize CUSMA,” he said. “We stand ready to intensify those discussions in the coming weeks.”
Carney’s government has signed more than 20 new economic security partnerships he noted, underscoring its commitment to free and fair trade.
“This trade dispute has raised costs for families, particularly in the U.S. Canada stands ready to engage intensively to address outstanding issues with the U.S. to the mutual benefit of our citizens,” he said.
“In all circumstances, Canada will work relentlessly and take any measures necessary to build our strength at home and to support Canadian workers, farmers, businesses and families.”