Carney says Canada will match Trump’s 25% auto tariffs

By Yiannis Damellos 

The Greek Courier

Canada is responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs by imposing matching counter-tariffs on vehicles, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Thursday.

Carney stated that Canada will mirror the U.S. approach by imposing 25 percent tariffs on all non-compliant vehicles imported from the United States, as well as on the non-Canadian components of CUSMA-compliant vehicles from the U.S.

"We must react decisively and forcefully. We are a free, sovereign, and ambitious nation. We are in control of our own destiny," he emphasized.

In his capacity as the current prime minister in a caretaker government and as the Liberal leader in the election campaign, Carney outlined plans for a framework to grant relief to automakers from Canada's counter-tariffs, contingent on their commitment to maintaining production and investments in the country.

He estimated that the counter-tariffs would generate approximately $8 billion, with the funds earmarked to support auto workers who face job losses and companies experiencing financial setbacks, in addition to the proposed $2 billion strategic relief fund in his election platform.

Carney lamented the disruption caused by Trump's actions to the longstanding Canada-U.S. auto sector, which had thrived since the inception of the Auto Pact in 1965.

"The Auto Pact, signed when I was born, eliminated auto tariffs between our nations and fostered a 60-year era of collaboration, job creation, and prosperity. Sadly, that era has ended unless a new comprehensive approach is agreed upon by the U.S. and Canada," Carney remarked.

He disclosed plans for the future prime minister, following the April 28 federal election, to engage with Trump in negotiations to define the new economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States.

"As President Trump and I discussed last week, he and the Canadian prime minister will convene immediately after the election to identify common ground and establish a new economic and security alliance," Carney stated.

While acknowledging the shift in the deepening integration with the U.S., Carney affirmed that the United States remains a crucial ally to Canada.