Carney on trade dispute with Trump
“If you are attacked, you are at war”
Aug 22, 2026 – 11:57 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
US-Canada relations are reaching a new low. The Trump administration is imposing new tariffs, the neighboring country is fighting back.
After the failed negotiations, the customs dispute between the two came to a head USA and Canada again. Tariffs of 50 percent on a number of Canadian goods came into force that night. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney announced countermeasures that will take effect in September. When asked by a journalist why there was the impression of a trade war today, Carney said: “If you’re attacked, you’re at war – we were attacked.”
Statements by the US government’s trade representative, Jamieson Greer, give little hope for a quick solution to the conflict. On the contrary, countermeasures against the tariffs announced by Canada are already in the works, he said.
- Trump rules the USA: All current news
- Sound recording appeared: Vance appears to be mocking Carney
Trump’s tariffs were set to take effect on Wednesday
Negotiators from the two neighboring states had discussed an agreement until Saturday night that would be agreed by US President Donald Trump to avert announced tariffs. Trump announced new tariffs of 50 percent on a number of products in July that were supposed to come into force on Wednesday. Canadian goods worth around $20 billion would be affected – around five percent of total imports – including hockey sticks, furniture and wine. Shortly before the deadline, the US President announced a postponement. Since then, negotiations have been under high pressure.
Recently there was talk, among other things, that the expansion of the Keystone Pipeline, which had actually already been shelved, would be pushed forward again, a dream project of Trump. In return, Canada’s provinces could, among other things, lift the ban on the sale of US alcohol. Trump was still confident on Wednesday. “I think we have an agreement with the prime minister, and a good agreement for everyone.”
Carney: The justification for US tariffs changes constantly
After talks broke down that night, both sides accused each other of preventing an agreement with short-term demands. Carney also pointed out that the US is always finding new reasons to justify its tariffs against Canada. Among other things, it has already been about fentanyl, smoke from forest fires, taxes against US tech companies and a Canadian commercial that quoted former US President Ronald Reagan.
