We got attacked: Carney says

23-Aug-2026

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs on US goods following the US imposing 50% tariffs affecting 5% of Canadian exports. After over a year of negotiations broke down over unacceptable US demands threatening Canada's sovereignty and industries, Canada responded with tariffs on various US sectors. 

“You’re at war when you’re attacked, and we got attacked,” a defiant Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on August 22 as he announced “dollar-for-dollar” retaliatory tariffs on US goods from September 8, escalating a bitter trade war between the two long-standing allies.

The dispute highlights Canada's heavy economic reliance on the US, with 70%+ of exports going south, and marks a fundamental shift in their bilateral trade relationship, casting uncertainty over the USMCA agreement.