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Topics: Canada, News, World News, US News, Donald Trump
Gerrard Kaonga
Topics: Canada, News, World News, US News, Donald Trump
Mark Carney has said that one of the most important trade deals in his lifetime is now 'over' as Trump issues more tariffs on Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Carney has insisted that Canada will not back down to aggression from the US or Donald Trump in the ongoing trade war between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Thursday (March 27), Carney called on big changes in the Canadian economy, seemingly to take steps away from US reliance and cooperation.
He said the country must ‘fundamentally reimagine our economy’, as tensions still remain high between Donald Trump’s America and Canada.
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Trump announced on Wednesday (March 26) he would target imported vehicles and vehicle parts with a 25% tax, stating: "This is permanent."
As a result, Canada intends to import more tariffs on the US and claims it will have ‘maximum impact’ on the country.
Carney called the original Canada-US Automotive Products Agreement signed in 1965 the 'most important deal in his lifetime', and said that with these new tariffs from the US, that their previous relationship is now finished.
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The Canadian leader also insisted he would not allow the US to attempt to weaken the country in order to improve the US.
He said: “The president of the US is trying to fundamentally restructure his economy, it means our economy and it means the global economy as well.
“I understand and respect his goal to support American workers, but I disagree with him that this is how to help them.
“I reject any attempts to weaken Canada, to wear us down, to break us so that America can own us, that will never happen.
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“Our response to these latest tariffs is to fight, is to protect and to build.
“We will fight the US tariffs with retaliatory trade actions of our own, that will have maximum impact in the United States and minimum impact here in Canada.”
Previously, Carney has said Canada will not consider removing these tariffs until the US gives it the respect it deserves.
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He also did admit that Canadian could expect ‘dark days’ ahead because of these moves by the US, a country he claims they can no longer trust, however he also noted that the nation is always ready for a fight.
Earlier this month, as tensions were raised between the two countries, Carney said: “We're getting over the shock, but let us never forget the lessons: we have to look after ourselves and we have to look out for each other. We need to pull together in the tough days ahead."