On September 8 local time, Canada imposed countermeasures tariffs on American goods. According to Canadian media reports, hours later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a national video speech, calling for unity among the people to confront the trade war between Canada and the United States, and emphasizing that Canada would take "every measure necessary" to respond in kind.
Kanie used ice hockey as a metaphor: "Whenever we choose to buy Canadian products or travel within Canada, we are sending a message—in this country, no one is on the stands (just watching), but 40 million Canadians are all on the ice (competing)."
He pointed out that the most fundamental problem at present is that the United States ‘wants us to rely on them more, rather than be more independent. In too many areas, they pursue dependency relationships, rather than equal economic partnership.’
Canning admitted that reducing dependence on the United States would come at a cost, but this cost was insignificant compared to the “cost of standing still”. He reiterated that the US made unreasonable demands at the last moment of negotiations, which harmed Canada’s sovereignty and interests in key industries. Therefore, Canada chose to abandon the agreement and take countermeasures.
According to CIC, Kahn also mentioned a piece of history in the video. He said that in 1890, the United States imposed a 50% tariff on Canada, under the Mackinley Tariff Act, with the intention of forcing Canada to submit or even annex Canada. However, history has shown that that tariff did not weaken Canada; instead, it made Canada stronger through diversified trade. Meanwhile, the United States itself suffered from inflation and economic depression.
Cardin concluded that this is related to Canadians’ identity, livelihoods, and future. "Adversity only makes us stronger—that has always been the case."
Canadian and American trade negotiations collapsed in late August, with the United States imposing a 50% tariff on Canadian goods worth $20 billion. On September 8, Canada began imposing equivalent countermeasures on US imported goods such as steel, dairy products, agricultural equipment, pulp, and electronic products. According to Canadian media reports, there are no further negotiations scheduled between the two sides.
In the United States, Treasury Secretary Beisente said on the 8th that Canada's counter-measure tariffs would have a “minimal” impact on US inflation, and it is expected to only raise the inflation rate by 0.02 percentage points. He also warned that if Canada does not accept the US conditions, companies may shift their production to the United States.
U.S. President Trump posted a statement on social media on the same day, stating that he had instructed the U.S. General Services Administration to work with the U.S. Trade Representative Office to take all necessary measures to exclude Canadian products from the U.S. government procurement programs, until Canada restores "fair and reciprocal" treatment for U.S farmers and businesses.
Trump said, "For many years, Canada has been taking advantage of us." Canada prohibits American companies from entering its government procurement market, while Canada itself can have extensive access to the US market. "This is not reciprocity; it is a trade scam by Canada. From now on, there will be no reciprocity in market access."
