Canada’s premiers appear to be rallying behind Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to walk away from trade talks with the United States as 50 per cent tariffs hit billions of products across the country.
After hope that a deal could be reached between Canada and the United States percolated, talks stalled and collapsed, escalating the trade war between the two countries.
Tariffs of 50 per cent on billions of dollars in Canadian goods were levied by America on Saturday, while Canada has promised to hit back dollar by dollar next month.
On Saturday afternoon, Carney briefed Canada’s premiers on the deal he had abandoned and tariff relief.
“I’ve always said we need to fight these tariffs. Tariff to tariff, dollar to dollar,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters in Toronto.
“I’m glad he didn’t sign that deal because it was a bad deal. It was a bad deal for Ontario. It was a bad deal for the auto sector, the steel sector and the manufacturing sector. We never started this fight, but I can assure you, we’re going to win this fight.”
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew agreed that Canada should adopt a harsh position on the United States.
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“History will not be kind to Donald Trump, so we should never appease him,” he said. “We should fight back, which is what Canada’s doing today.”
Elsewhere, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said Carney had his full support.
“I continue to stand ready to support and work with the prime minister,” he said.
“It’s clear that we cannot trust or rely on the United States as we once did. This reality must make us more determined than ever to make Nova Scotia and Canada stronger. ”
The premiers of New Brunswick, British Columbia and Saskatchewan also offered their support.
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