Canada PM Calls Trump's Auto Tariffs 'Direct Attack'

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump's auto tariffs are a "direct attack" on his country and that the trade war is hurting Americans, noting that American consumer confidence is at a multi-year low.

- Bloomberg

TORONTO:

Trump said earlier on Wednesday that he was placing 25% tariffs on auto imports and, to underscore his intention, he stated, "This is permanent."

"This is a very direct attack," Carney responded. "We will defend our workers. We will defend our companies. We will defend our country."

Carney said he needs to see the details of Trump's executive order before taking retaliatory measures. He called it unjustified and said he will leave the election campaign to go to Ottawa on Thursday to chair his special Cabinet committee on US relations.

Carney earlier announced a CA$2 billion ($1.4 billion) "strategic response fund" that will protect Canadian auto jobs affected by Trump's tariffs.

Autos are Canada's second-largest export. Carney noted the sector employs 125,000 Canadians directly and almost another 500,000 in related industries.

"Canada will be there for auto workers," he said.