'We'll Speak When It Makes Sense': Canadian PM Shrugs Off Trump's 35% Tariff Hike

Last Updated:August 06, 2025, 19:43 IST

Carney noted that, despite the recent tariff increase on some products, Canada still faces one of the lowest average US tariff rates of any country

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney talks with President Donald Trump before a group photo at the G7 Summit. (AP file photo)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday expressed disappointment over US President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on certain Canadian goods from 25% to 35%.

Speaking in British Columbia, Carney said, “We’ll speak when it makes sense," while expressing hope that negotiators could still work towards a comprehensive bilateral trade deal.

At the press conference, Carney highlighted that more than 85% of trade between the United States and Canada remains tariff-free, showing the strength of the trading relationship between the two countries.

Carney also noted that, despite the recent tariff increase on some products, Canada still faces one of the lowest average US tariff rates of any country. He praised the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which Trump signed and supported during his first term, for protecting exemptions on goods that comply with its rules.

Trump had defended the latest tariff increase by blaming Canada for not doing enough to stop fentanyl crossing the border into the United States, where it has worsened the opioid crisis.

Carney called fentanyl coming from Canada “a rounding error" compared to other sources. US data shows that less than 0.1% of fentanyl seizures between 2022 and 2024 happened at the northern border.

Carney’s comments came as he announced new support for Canada’s softwood lumber industry, which has been affected by trade tensions with the US. Statistics Canada reported that Canadian exports to the US dropped by 12.5% in June compared to the same month last year.

Canadian PM also acknowledged the impact of US protectionist policies on major Canadian industries such as autos, steel, and aluminium.

He added, “While we’ll continue to work with the United States on the many mutually beneficial opportunities that we share…it is clear that we cannot count, or fully rely, on what has been our most valued trading relationship."

(With inputs from AFP)

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