Prime Minister Mark Carney played down the newest round of U.S. trade measures against Canada on Thursday, calling them “relatively modest” and signalling that Ottawa is in no rush to hit back. The measures — which took effect earlier this week — ban Canadian dairy and motorcycles, ban most Canadian alcoholic beverages, and shut Canadian products out of large, long-term U.S. government contracts, The Associated Press reported.
“We also recognize that, in the context of other things that the U.S. administration has done … that these are relatively modest measures,” Carney said at a cabinet retreat in Banff, Alberta.
Rather than answer with counter-tariffs, Carney framed the government’s priority as strengthening the domestic economy, and said Canada remains open to negotiations if the talks are conducted professionally and respect Canadian sovereignty. It is a notably cooler posture than the tit-for-tat of earlier rounds.
Premier Doug Ford struck a sharper tone, telling reporters he hopes Republicans lose control of Congress in the midterms while also saying he believes President Donald Trump wants a deal before that vote.
Ontario had already moved ahead of this week’s measures: the province widened eligibility for its tariff-relief program on Wednesday, opening support to more businesses expecting to be caught by the new restrictions.
