Trump announces 35% tariff on Canada in retaliation

US President Donald Trump on Thursday again attacked Canada with an additional 35% tariff and criticized the neighboring country for retaliating with taxes.

The announcement was made in a letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, similar to those Trump has sent since last Monday to around 20 countries.

As in other cases, the tariff is in addition to taxes applied to specific sectors, such as steel, aluminum and automobiles.

"Instead of cooperating with the United States, Canada retaliated with its own tariffs. Beginning August 1, 2025, we will charge Canada a 35 percent tariff on Canadian goods shipped to the United States, in addition to all sectoral tariffs," Trump said in the letter, published on the Truth Social platform. "These tariffs may change up or down, depending on our relationship with your country."

Canada and Mexico were the first targets of the US president's tariffs since he returned to office in January. Trump accused both countries of failing to adequately combat illegal immigration and the trafficking of fentanyl, the opioid responsible for a serious health crisis in the United States.

– Tense negotiation –

Canadian and Mexican products were initially hit by 25% US tariffs, with a lower tariff for Canadian-produced energy. But Trump eventually announced exemptions for products entering the United States under the T-MEC, which covers a wide range of goods.

Since then, Canada and Mexico have been negotiating a trade agreement with the United States. Last month, Ottawa announced it was abandoning its digital services tax, which was set to take effect on July 1, after Trump suspended talks, calling the tax "a direct blow" to the United States.

The tension is affecting trade between the two countries. The proportion of Canadian exports to the United States fell to 68.3% in May, one of the lowest figures ever, according to Canadian officials.

Trump's letter was sent despite improved relations between Trump and Carney. The Canadian leader visited the White House on May 6 and had a cordial meeting with the American president in the Oval Office.

The two met again at last month's G7 summit in Canada, where leaders pressed Trump to backtrack on his trade push.