"We Will Not Back Down": Canada Hits Back at Trump's Steel & Aluminium Tariffs with $30 Billion Retaliation

Trade War Escalates as Canada Slaps Tariffs on US Goods After Trump's "Unjustifiable" Move

Ottawa [Canada], March 13: The US-Canada trade war has intensified as the Canadian government retaliates against President Donald Trump’s fresh tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium with USD 29.8 billion in counter-tariffs on American goods, effective immediately.

Calling Trump’s move "unjustified and unjustifiable," Canada’s Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc declared that Canada will not stand idly by as its "iconic steel and aluminium industries are unfairly targeted."

Speaking at a press conference, LeBlanc slammed the US tariffs, warning that they would have far-reaching economic consequences on both sides of the border.

"We will not be bullied into submission. The US administration needs to understand that Canada will protect its industries, its workers, and its economy from unfair trade attacks."

Canada’s Strongest Response Yet

In response to the new US tariffs, Canada has imposed its own USD 30 billion worth of duties on American goods, targeting:
✅ US-made steel and aluminium
✅ Computers and electronics
✅ Sports equipment
✅ Certain cast iron products

These counter-tariffs aim to send a clear message to Washington that Canada will fight back against economic coercion.

US-Canada Trade Relations on the Brink

The latest US tariffs on Canadian metals came into effect just after midnight on Wednesday. This move, separate from previous tariff measures, is seen as part of Trump’s broader strategy to push Canada to tighten its border controls on drugs and migrants.

However, Canada refused to lift its retaliatory tariffs, even after Trump tweaked his tariff regime, keeping the pressure on the White House.

Canada Calls Out Trump's "Bogus" Justification

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly rejected Trump’s claims that Canadian steel and aluminium imports pose a "national security threat", calling the justification "bogus and insulting."

"The excuse for these tariffs shifts every day. The only constant seems to be President Trump's talks of annexing our country through economic coercion. We will not back down and we will not give in to this nonsense."

Joly’s strong words reflect the growing frustration in Ottawa over Trump’s repeated economic pressure tactics against its largest trading partner.

Economic Fallout: A Looming Price Hike in the US?

Canada’s Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne warned that Trump’s tariffs could backfire, making US manufacturing more expensive due to its reliance on Canadian metals.

The US produces only 16% of the aluminium it needs, while a staggering 60% of its supply comes from Quebec alone.
Steel prices in the US are expected to skyrocket, impacting automobiles, construction, and manufacturing sectors.

Champagne emphasized that Trump’s relentless trade attacks aren’t likely to stop anytime soon and urged Canada to adopt a more independent and resilient economic stance.

"This is not just about tariffs; this is about economic sovereignty. Canada must start preparing for a future where we rely less on a volatile US administration and strengthen our domestic industry."

What’s Next?

With both nations refusing to back down, the trade war is set to escalate further. Canada has made it clear that it will not yield to economic intimidation, while Trump’s administration appears determined to maintain pressure on Ottawa.

As the situation unfolds, businesses on both sides of the border brace for potential supply chain disruptions, price hikes, and economic uncertainty.

Will the US and Canada reach a resolution, or is this just the beginning of a prolonged economic standoff?

Tags:

Canada US trade war, Trump tariffs, steel and aluminium tariffs, Canada retaliates, US-Canada trade dispute, economic coercion, Canadian tariffs, global trade tensions, protectionism, Trump trade policies