OTTAWA — The United States imposed 50 per cent tariffs on billions of dollars in Canadian exports Saturday, after the two countries failed to reach a new trade deal before an extended deadline imposed by President Donald Trump earlier in the week.
In response, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada will retaliate with matching dollar-for-dollar tariffs. Carney also suspended talks with the United States and summoned his negotiators back to Ottawa.
Here’s what people are saying in response:
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“In recent weeks, we made important progress toward improving Canada’s position as having the best deal in the world with the U.S. However, that progress has not been enough to meet our objectives for Canadians.
“As a result, this evening, I have decided to suspend trade negotiations with the U.S. and have directed Canada’s negotiators to return to Ottawa. They have worked hard, in good faith, to defend the interests of Canadians throughout these negotiations up until the very last minute. However, last-minute changes in the U.S. proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney
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“Despite the U.S. offer to Canada to receive the best treatment of any major exporter to our market, new demands and walk-backs of other commitments by Canada have upended the careful balance reached in the past days.
“In addition, Canada is continuing to maintain its prolonged retaliation against the United States, including, among other things, flat-out prohibitions on certain American goods and services.”
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
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“This will be a body blow to North American competitiveness in this self-defeating trade saga. A whopping, non-absorbable tariff is not sustainable or viable for business.
“For a small Canadian exporter operating on tight margins, this isn’t an abstract trade dispute. It means looking at your orders, your payroll and your employees and asking what you can still afford.
Americans will see their costs go up, and Canadians will see customers, investment and small businesses disappear.”
Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
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“We appreciate the administration’s recognition that American distillers have been unfairly targeted by these Canadian provincial sales bans. This discriminatory treatment of U.S. spirits products has persisted for more than a year and a half, causing significant economic harm to our industry.
“It is unfortunate that the Canadian provinces’ continued refusal to return U.S. spirits products to store shelves has led to this outcome. We encourage policymakers on both sides of the border to pursue a negotiated solution that restores market access for U.S. spirits throughout Canada and returns spirits trade to a zero-for-zero tariff framework.”
Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
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“While I’m hoping more will come out on what happened and where we go from here, this is deeply troubling for thousands of small Canadian exporters.
“A full 40 per cent of small exporters sell items on the new 10+ page list of items facing 50 per cent tariffs. Many CFIB members have said this will end their US sales, and some have reported this will kill their businesses.
“I hope that discussions continue and an interim deal can be quickly found.”
Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business
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“Walking away from a bad deal is the right choice for Canada. The road ahead will be tough. But we’re all in this together. We must use our leverage to force Trump to back down. And we must focus on protecting workers and communities impacted by Trump’s trade war.”
Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress
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“Team Canada needs to stand together more united than ever before. The prime minister has my full support for a strong response—tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar. As we fight to protect Canadian sovereignty and economic security, everything needs to be on the table. Ontario is ready to do its part.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford
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“British Columbians will always stand with Canada. Our politeness should never be mistaken for weakness. We’ll always defend ourselves. We didn’t ask for this, but we’ll keep fighting for as long as it takes.”
British Columbia Premier David Eby
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“I am deeply disappointed that Canada and the United States have not been able to reach a trade agreement. Alberta has always advocated for a tariff-free relationship, and will continue to do so. No one benefits from a trade war.”
“Tariffs and counter-tariffs hurt businesses, workers and families on both sides of the border, while weakening one of the most important economic and security relationships in the world. My first concern today is for the Albertans and Canadians whose livelihoods are at risk from these new tariffs and counter-tariffs.”
“I welcome the federal government’s intention to provide relief for those businesses that are impacted. Alberta will continue to advocate for a strong tariff-free relationship between Canada and the U.S., and I will be urging the federal government to restart negotiations as soon as possible.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2026.
Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
