Washington – Arab Canada News

The American President Donald Trump announced today a new and extensive package of tariffs on key imports, describing it as a "historic move to free the American economy from decades of commercial plundering," in shocking statements where he described the United States as having been "plundered, robbed, and economically violated," in his own words.

Highlights from Trump's announcement:

Imposing new tariffs ranging from 25% to 60% on:

Cars and spare parts

Medicines and medical equipment

Steel and aluminum

Energy and fuel products

Electronic goods and some food products

These tariffs will take effect in the coming days, with threats to expand them if there is no "trade balance restoration."

Trump said:

"It is time to stop the theft. We are not an open bank for our trading partners. Today, we begin to restore our economic dignity."

Canadian response in preparation: Carney ready for emergency meetings

In the Canadian capital, Prime Minister Mark Carney's office confirmed that the government is holding emergency meetings with senior economic and trade officials, along with the Canada-U.S. Trade and Security Council, to study the implications of this step on Canadian sectors.

A senior government source stated that Ottawa "does not rule out imposing reciprocal tariffs," adding that the current priority is to "ensure the stability of supply chains and protect jobs and strategic sectors from the immediate impact."

Analysis: What do the new tariffs mean for Canada?

According to economic analysts, Canada will be one of the most affected countries by this American package for several reasons:

Canadian exports to the U.S. represent more than 70% of total Canadian foreign trade.

The tariffs on cars and spare parts will severely impact the automotive manufacturing sector in Ontario, threatening thousands of jobs.

Imposing tariffs on energy and derivatives may lead to disruption in oil and gas prices and hinder crude oil exports.

Targeting the pharmaceutical industries will negatively affect Canadian companies that supply medical supplies to U.S. hospitals.

Financial analyst Eric Laurent states, "Canada is facing an unprecedented situation and may find itself forced to seek urgent trade alternatives and strengthen its partnerships with the European Union and Asia."

Conclusion: Escalation without a clear ceiling

The new U.S. tariffs represent a sharp escalation in the trade war that has been brewing for months and open the door to a series of retaliatory responses that could lead to mutual economic recession if a rapid agreement is not reached.

Canada, in this context, finds itself at a crossroads: either retaliating in kind and risking further escalation or entering new negotiations with the Trump administration in an unstable trade environment.