Canada's trade war playbook targets US vulnerabilities

Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs of up to 50 percent on U.S. goods, matching President Donald Trump's punitive tariffs, in a direct economic confrontation led by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The counter-tariffs, effective September 8, target U.S. steel, aluminum, appliances, agricultural equipment, and electronics, aiming to raise about $20 billion for Canada's budget. Roughly 70 percent of Canadian exports go to the U.S., making the trade war particularly impactful. Carney advocates for unified retaliation against U.S. protectionism, urging Europe to follow Canada's example. He is also seeking new partnerships, including closer ties with the EU and the CPTPP trade bloc, to reduce dependence on the U.S.