US President Trump said, “If the European Union works with Canada in order to do economic harm to the USA, large scale tariffs, far larger than currently planned, will be placed on them both in order to protect the best friend that each of those two countries has ever had,” he said. On Wednesday, Trump unveiled a 25% tariff on imported vehicles, expanding a global trade war and prompting criticism and threats of retaliation from affected US allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the move as “bad for businesses, worse for consumers,” while Prime Minister Mark Carney labeled the tariffs a “direct attack” on Canadian workers and said retaliatory measures were being considered. The new levies on cars and light trucks will take effect on April 3, the day after Trump plans to announce reciprocal tariffs aimed at the countries responsible for the bulk of the US trade deficit.
Related coverage in:
- The Hill: Trump threatens tariffs ‘far larger than currently planned’ on EU, Canada
- MarketWatch: Trump is now trying to block Canada’s efforts to boost Europe ties
- NY Times: Rattled by Trump, America’s Allies Shift to Defense Mode
- CBC News: Fear and uncertainty for Ontario autoworkers after 25% tariff