US President Donald Trump has said he will impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods starting on 1 August, even as the two countries were days away from a self-imposed deadline to reach a new trade deal.
The announcement came in the form of a letter published on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, along with additional threats of blanket tariffs of 15% or 20% on most trade partners.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government would continue to protect his country’s workers and businesses as they head towards the new deadline.
Trump has sent more than 20 such letters to other US partners this week. He also says he will soon announce new tariffs on the European Union.
Like Canada’s letter, Trump has vowed to implement those tariffs by 1 August.
A blanket 25% tariff has already been imposed on some Canadian goods, with the nation also hit hard by Trump’s global steel, aluminium and auto tariffs – though there is a current exemption in place for goods that comply with a North American free trade agreement.
US media is reporting that, for now, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) exemption would still apply to this latest tariffs t
