Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced that tariffs on Canadian vehicles, automotive parts and steel will rise to 50 per cent from January 1, 2027, sharply escalating his trade confrontation with one of America’s closest economic partners.
Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social, accusing Canada of imposing high tariffs on American agricultural products and treating the United States unfairly for years.
“Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years,” Trump said.
“Their ridiculously high tariffs on our Farmers and farm products has made life impossible for these great American Patriots, and has long created a 60 Billion Dollar Deficit between our two Countries,” he added.
Trump said the existing trade relationship was “not sustainable” and declared that Washington would no longer accept it.
“On January First, 2027, Tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel, will be increased to 50 per cent,” Trump said.
Trump offered companies an exemption if they shifted manufacturing to the United States.
“Build in the US, and there are zero tariffs,” he said.
The President also signalled a wider deterioration in relations with Ottawa, saying Canada would no longer receive what he described as preferential treatment from Washington.
“Canada will be treated like a State no longer!” Trump said.
“On Trade, and in other ways, also, they are among the worst Nations in the World to deal with. They feel entitled, and yet, we don’t need Canada; they need us” he added.
Trump also claimed that Canada conducts 95 per cent of its business with the United States while the American economy is far less dependent on Canadian trade.
“They do 95 per cent of their business with the US, with us, the exact opposite!” he said.
(IANS)
