Washington imposes 50 percent tariff on Canadian goods

“Al Arabiya” – The United States imposed 50 percent tariffs on certain Canadian goods yesterday, following the failure of the two countries to reach a trade deal, as both sides exchanged accusations of obstructing negotiations that had lasted for days.

The tariffs do not represent a dramatic shift in Canada’s economic situation, as it is the second-largest trading partner of the United States after Mexico. The tariffs came into effect on Canadian goods worth $20 billion, which account for no more than 5 percent of Canada’s total exports to the United States.

However, these new tariffs signal escalating tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and are likely to complicate broader negotiations aimed at renewing the free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Washington and Ottawa announced that they had failed to reach a trade agreement, and that the United States would impose 50 percent tariffs on certain imports from Canada, escalating tensions between the long-standing allies.

The U.S. administration’s decision came after three consecutive days of talks in Washington between Canada’s minister responsible for trade with the United States, Dominic LeBlanc, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.