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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

US, Canada Fail to Reach Trade Pact, Tariffs Take Effect

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The US imposed tariffs on some Canadian products after trade negotiations failed to reach an agreement.
  • Canada vowed to match the US tariffs dollar-for-dollar to protect its workers and businesses.
  • The new 50% duties impact about $20 billion worth of goods, affecting products from hockey sticks to cement.

Hefty US tariffs on certain Canadian products took effect Saturday, following last-minute negotiations that failed to secure a deal. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to retaliate with matching tariffs to safeguard national interests. The new 50% duties, affecting approximately $20 billion worth of goods, or 5.5% of Canadian exports to the US, came into force as planned.

dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses

— Mark CarneyCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed that his country will match the US tariffs

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated Friday that Canada declined to finalize the trade deal under previously agreed terms, despite Washington's offers for tariff reductions in sectors like steel and aluminum. A senior US official indicated no further meetings are scheduled for now. The White House had expressed optimism about reaching a deal, citing President Trump's "good relationship" with Prime Minister Carney.

However, Canada's chief negotiator Dominic LeBlanc noted that "more work to do" remained after Friday's talks. Greer had previously outlined US proposals for significant tariff reductions in exchange for Canadian concessions, criticizing Canada's "prolonged retaliation" against US goods and services. Canada's regional leaders had indicated US irritation over the removal of American alcohol and wine from liquor stores.

tonight, Canada declined to finalize the trade deal under the terms agreed earlier this week.

— Jamieson GreerUS Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Friday that

Carney defended Canada's position, calling last-minute US changes to proposed terms "unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal." He stated that while progress was made, it was insufficient to meet Canadian objectives. A senior US official, speaking anonymously, suggested Canada sought additional concessions the US could not provide, but described the talks as candid and not acrimonious.

we should be able to have a deal with Canada

— Donald TrumpAfter Trump said that

Trade lawyer Ryan Majerus commented that Canada's agreement to impose retaliatory tariffs would complicate de-escalation but predicted significant pressure on both sides to find a resolution. Christopher Padilla, a former US official, noted the widespread hope among businesses for a deal to mend the strained US-Canada trade relationship over the past 18 months.

have more work to do

— Dominic LeBlancCanada’s top negotiator Dominic LeBlanc told reporters that officials still
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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