Texas Republican August Pfluger praised Trump for bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and pinned blame for the trade war on Ottawa.
“It’s a war that is perpetuated by Canada,” Pfluger told CBC News. “The Canadians need to get reasonable. They’ve taken advantage of the United States for a long time.”
This trade war against Canada was started by the USA when they unilaterally violated the existing signed CUSMA deal (agreed to during the Trump 1.0 administration) by imposing tariffs on our steel and aluminum. Canada responded in various ways including most provinces banning the sale of their alcohol. Complying with the existing agreement is not “taking advantage of the USA”. The trade deficit in goods in Canada’s favour is mostly due to us selling them crude oil at a discount. Almost 4 million barrels a day. Who’s taking advantage of who?
The USA escalated again on August 22 so there will be “dollar for dollar” increases in our tariffs for their products coming up on September 8:
As a result of the U.S.'s decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on $27.6 billion of Canadian goods effective August 22, 2026, the Prime Minister announced that Canada will match the incoming U.S. Section 338 tariffs – dollar for dollar.
These new countermeasures on $27.6 billion in products imported from the U.S. will be effective as of 12:01 a.m., September 8, 2026.
The new targeted counter tariffs are concentrated in sectors such as steel and aluminum, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics, and electronics. In certain sectors, such as steel and aluminum, existing counter-tariffs will increase from 25 per cent to 50 per cent to match U.S. rates.
Other existing counter-tariffs, including against U.S. autos, will also continue to apply.
Canada’s counter-tariffs are targeted against red/purple states such as carpet manufactured in the state of Georgia.
Canada’s economy is smaller than the USA but there will still be negative impacts felt by the USA with higher prices for imported goods and less demand for their exports. Not good for the ruling party leading into their November mid-term elections.
Blaming Canada is all they can do as they can’t blame themselves or their dear leader Trump:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gop-republicans-canada-tariffs-trump-9.7329848
This trade war against Canada was started by the USA when they unilaterally violated the existing signed CUSMA deal (agreed to during the Trump 1.0 administration) by imposing tariffs on our steel and aluminum. Canada responded in various ways including most provinces banning the sale of their alcohol. Complying with the existing agreement is not “taking advantage of the USA”. The trade deficit in goods in Canada’s favour is mostly due to us selling them crude oil at a discount. Almost 4 million barrels a day. Who’s taking advantage of who?
The USA escalated again on August 22 so there will be “dollar for dollar” increases in our tariffs for their products coming up on September 8:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/international-trade-finance-policy/canadas-response-us-tariffs/complete-list-us-products-subject-to-counter-tariffs.html
Canada’s counter-tariffs are targeted against red/purple states such as carpet manufactured in the state of Georgia. Canada’s economy is smaller than the USA but there will still be negative impacts felt by the USA with higher prices for imported goods and less demand for their exports. Not good for the ruling party leading into their November mid-term elections.