On Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that retaliatory measures are being considered if his government fails to reach a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump before new U.S. tariffs take effect.
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“Everything is on the table” depending on the outcome of negotiations with Washington, said Carney after a meeting with provincial and territorial leaders in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Regarding possible retaliation if and when the new tariffs come into effect next month, Carney said, “there’s a full range of things that we can do in that regard.”
“We don’t need to respond in advance. In fact, I think it would be counterproductive at this stage to respond in advance,” he said.
On Thursday morning, Carney said that his government would do “whatever it takes” to defend Canada’s national interests in response to recent U.S. tariff threats, stressing that Canada would protect and support its workers, farmers, businesses and families amid trade pressure from Washington.
“We are in a stronger position than we were when this trade war started 18 months ago. We’re in a stronger position because of the determination of Canadians themselves, and the focus of the premiers around this table,” Carney said.
On Monday, Trump signed proclamations to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on certain goods, accusing Canada of discriminating against U.S. commerce. The additional 50 percent ad valorem duties on certain dairy products, alcoholic beverages, motor vehicles and related goods will take effect on Aug. 19.
In response, Carney described the new U.S. tariffs as “the latest in a series of unilateral U.S. trade actions in direct violation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.” Carney said on Tuesday that he had spoken with Trump and the two sides had agreed to intensify trade negotiations.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: Xinhua
Source: teleSUR English
