Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced a 35 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada, effective August 1, citing what he referred to as Canada’s insufficient efforts in curbing the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
In a letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, which he shared on his social media platform, Trump stated that the tariff may increase further if Canada chooses to retaliate.
He also signalled a willingness to negotiate, writing, “If Canada works with me to stop the flow of fentanyl, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter.” He added that the tariffs could change depending on how the relationship between the two countries evolves.
The announcement stands in contrast to evidence indicating that the bulk of fentanyl trafficked into the US arrives via the southern border with Mexico, rather than through Canada.
Trump’s latest move expands his ongoing trade war. Alongside Canada, he has recently imposed tariffs on Japan and South Korea and announced a 50 per cent tariff on imported copper.
In a separate interview with NBC News published Thursday, Trump suggested that additional countries may soon face blanket tariffs of 15 to 20 per cent, depending on their trade practices and cooperation in matters related to security.
The United States had previously applied a 25 per cent tariff on various Canadian goods. However, many of these items were later exempted under the 2020 United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). It remains uncertain whether those exemptions will still apply when the new tariffs take effect.
Prime Minister Carney said on X that his government would continue to defend Canadian workers and businesses in negotiations with the US as they work towards the August deadline.
In March, Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on cars and auto parts imported from Canada. By June, he followed with a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminium imports, reported The Guardian.
The newly announced rate is set to apply to all remaining goods.
The two nations remain locked in trade negotiations aimed at reaching a deal, though Trump’s latest threat appeared to put that timeline in jeopardy.
This was the latest of more than 20 such letters issued by Trump since Monday, as he escalates trade war threats against dozens of global economies.
(with IANS inputs)