TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s auto tariffs are a “direct assault” on his nation and that the trade war is hurting People, noting that American consumer confidence is at a multi-year low.
Trump mentioned earlier Wednesday that he was putting 25% tariffs on auto imports and, to underscore his intention, he said “That is everlasting.”
“This can be a very direct assault,” Carney responded. “We’ll defend our staff. We’ll defend our corporations. We’ll defend our nation.”
Carney mentioned he must see the small print of Trump’s government order earlier than taking retaliatory measures. He referred to as it unjustified and mentioned he’ll go away the election marketing campaign to go to Ottawa on Thursday to chair his particular Cupboard committee on U.S. relations.
Carney earlier introduced a CA$2 billion ($1.4 billion) “strategic response fund” that can shield Canadian auto jobs affected by Trump’s tariffs.
Autos are Canada’s second largest export, and Carney famous it employs 125,000 Canadians instantly and nearly one other 500,000 in associated industries.
“Canada might be there for auto staff,” he mentioned.
Trump beforehand granted a one-month exemption on his stiff new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for U.S. automakers.
The president has plunged the U.S. into a worldwide commerce battle — all whereas on-again, off-again new levies proceed to escalate uncertainty.
The Convention Board reported Tuesday that its U.S shopper confidence index fell 7.2 factors in March to 92.9, the fourth straight month-to-month decline and its lowest studying since January of 2021.
“His commerce battle is hurting American shoppers and staff and it’ll harm extra. I see that American shopper confidence is at a multi-year low,” Carney mentioned earlier whereas campaigning in Windsor, Ontario forward of Canada’s April 28 election.
The tax hike on auto imports beginning in April means automakers may face greater prices and decrease gross sales.
Trump beforehand 25% tariffs on Canada’s metal and aluminum and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian merchandise — in addition to all of America’s buying and selling companions — on April 2.
“He needs to interrupt us so America can personal us,” Carney mentioned. “And it’ll by no means ever occur as a result of we simply don’t look out for ourselves we glance out for one another.”
Carney, former two-time central banker, made the sooner feedback whereas campaigning in opposition to the backdrop of the Ambassador Bridge, which is taken into account the busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing, carrying 25% of all commerce between the 2 international locations. It performs an particularly essential function in auto manufacturing.
Carney mentioned the bridge carries $140 billion Canadian {dollars} ($98 billion) in items yearly and CA$400 million ($281 million) per day.
“Now these numbers and the roles and the paychecks that depend upon which might be in query,” Carney mentioned. “The connection between Canada and america has modified. We didn’t change it.”
Within the auto sector, elements can commute throughout the Canada-U.S. border a number of occasions earlier than being totally assembled in Ontario or Michigan.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentioned, whose province has the majority of Canada’s auto trade, Ford mentioned auto crops on either side the border will shut concurrently if the tariffs go forward.
“President is asking it Liberation Day. I name it Termination Day for American staff. I do know President Trump likes inform folks ’Your fired!” I didn’t suppose he meant U.S. auto staff when he mentioned it,” Ford mentioned.
Trump has declared a trade war on his northern neighbor and continues to name for Canada to change into the 51st state, a place that has infuriated Canadians.
Canadians booed Trump repeatedly at a Carney election rally in Kitchener, Ontario.
The brand new prime minister, sworn in March 14, nonetheless hasn’t had a cellphone name with Trump. It’s uncommon for a U.S. president and Canadian prime minister to go so lengthy with out speaking after a brand new chief takes workplace.
“It might be applicable that the president and I communicate given the motion that he has taken. I’m positive that can occur quickly,” Carney mentioned.
Opposition Conservative chief Pierre Poilievre mentioned the tariffs will harm American auto staff simply as they may harm Canadian auto staff.
“The message to President Trump must be to knock it off,” Poilievre mentioned. “He’s modified his thoughts earlier than. He’s finished this twice, places them on, takes them off. We will suspect that will effectively occur once more.”
