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Canada will continue to implement its initial retaliatory tariffs against the United States, despite President Donald Trump delaying for a month the imposition of 25 percent duties on many Canadian imports, a senior Canadian government official said.
Trump on Thursday announced a month-long delay in imposing 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico amid fears of a potential trade war.
A senior Canadian official has confirmed that Canada's retaliatory tariffs will remain in place.
These initial retaliatory tariffs affected such products as American orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, household appliances, footwear, cosmetics, motorcycles and some paper products.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who leads Canada's most populous province, also said Thursday that the province would increase electricity rates by 25% for 1.5 million Americans starting Monday in response to President Trump's tariff plan. Ontario supplies electricity to Minnesota, New York and Michigan.
Mr. Ford said Ontario's tariff would remain in place despite the American extension. He stressed Wednesday that as long as the threat of tariffs remains, Ontario's position will not change.
“This whole situation with President Trump is a mess,” Mr. Ford said. “We’ve been through this before. He’s still threatening tariffs since April 2.”
British Columbia Premier David Eby also said his province would soon introduce legislation that would allow commercial trucks to levy fees on their territory en route to Alaska. He said Canadians will not rest until the tariffs are completely eliminated.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested earlier on Thursday that a trade war between Canada and the United States could be in the near future after what he called a heated but constructive phone call with Mr. Trump on Tuesday.
Under orders signed by Mr Trump, imports from Mexico that comply with the USMCA trade agreement will be temporarily exempt from 25 percent tariffs.
Imports from Canada that comply with the trade deal will also not be subject to 25% tariffs for a month, while potash that American farmers import from Canada will be subject to 10% tariffs – the same rate Mr Trump wants to impose on Canadian energy.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
