Canada rejects US tariffs, vows dollar-for-dollar retaliation

Canada rejected new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which primarily affect small and medium-sized businesses. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Saturday that the US is "trying to break us to own us," vowing this will never happen. Carney announced retaliation "dollar for dollar" starting September 8, targeting US steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, paper, and electronics. Washington's last-minute demands included restricting Canada's trade agreements with other countries and concessions on French language and cultural protections, which Carney refused. US officials reportedly met with a separatist group seeking independence for Alberta, which British Columbia's premier called "treason." Canadian nationalism has surged, with favorable views of the US dropping from 57% to 33% since 2023, while China's rose to 44%.