Canada warns Trump on tariffs: Retaliation is coming April 2

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told President Donald Trump Wednesday that his nation will retaliate against the United States with tariffs of its own if Trump presses forward with his promised levies – potentially escalating what is already developing into an ugly and damaging trade war.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told President Donald Trump Wednesday that his nation will retaliate against the United States with tariffs of its own if Trump presses forward with his promised levies – potentially escalating what is already developing into an ugly and damaging trade war. The leaders of the bordering nations spoke Friday before the White House’s expected tariffs go into place April 2 – a day Trump has been calling America’s “Liberation Day.” The call came a couple days after Trump announced new tariffs on automobiles and parts on Wednesday, upending decades of free trade between the nations. In a statement Friday, Carney’s office said Canada plans to implement retaliatory tariffs on US goods next week in response to Trump’s promised import taxes. But Carney offered no specifics – including timing and the scope of the retaliatory tariffs. “The Prime Minister informed the President that his government will implement retaliatory tariffs to protect Canadian workers and our economy, following the announcement of additional U.S. trade actions on April 2, 2025,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release. Still, Carney and Trump sounded a hopeful note after the call – a noticeable change in tone from the fractious relationship between former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump. Friday’s call was the first between the two leaders. Carney’s office described it as a “very constructive conversation,” and Trump said in a social media post that the call was “extremely productive.”