US President Donald Trump has accused Canada of seeking the benefits of being part of the United States without actually becoming a state, as a major trade dispute between the two countries escalates.
Trump made the comments after trade negotiations between Washington and Ottawa collapsed late Friday, triggering new 50% US tariffs on a range of Canadian goods.
In his first reaction to the breakdown, Trump said Canada wanted “the benefits of a State, without being one” and complained that US farmers had faced what he described as “massive amounts of Tariffs” for years.
Carney Calls Tariffs a ‘Miscalculation’
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sharply criticised the new US measures, describing them as a “miscalculation” intended to “hurt and divide” Canada.
Carney said Canada would respond by matching the US tariffs “dollar-for-dollar” from September 8, including retaliatory measures covering products such as steel, dairy goods, appliances and electronics.
He said the two countries were now effectively in a trade war.
“They asked too much and they offered too little,” Carney said on Saturday.
“You’re at war when you get attacked. We got attacked,” he added.
Trade Talks Collapse
The breakdown has disrupted one of the world’s most deeply integrated trading relationships.
Both countries had expressed optimism earlier in the week that a deal could be reached, but negotiations collapsed after Washington and Ottawa accused each other of making last-minute changes to proposed terms.
Carney said Canada could not accept the US demands.
“We cannot accept what they’ve offered, and we will not give what they’ve asked,” he said.
New Tariffs Target Canadian Goods
The latest US tariffs cover about $20 billion in Canadian imports, representing roughly 5% of Canada’s exports to the United States.
Affected products include wine, dairy products, cement, clothing and hockey equipment, in addition to existing US tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium, automobiles and lumber.
Carney said Canada was retaliating reluctantly in order to protect its economic interests, with further details of the counter-measures expected to be announced in the coming days.
Canadian opposition parties, including the Conservative Party, have expressed support for the government’s position, as have several provincial leaders.
Trump Defends Tariff Policy
Tariffs have remained a central part of Trump’s economic strategy. The US president argues that import duties can encourage domestic manufacturing, protect American industries and create jobs.
Critics, however, warn that tariffs can increase costs for consumers, disrupt supply chains and place additional pressure on businesses.
With negotiations now suspended and both countries preparing further measures, uncertainty is growing over how long the latest US-Canada trade confrontation will last and whether a new agreement can eventually be reached.
