Summary
Canada will maintain its initial $30 billion (CA$) in retaliatory tariffs despite Trump postponing 25% tariffs on many Canadian imports for a month.
A second wave of tariffs, originally planned at $125 billion (CA$), has been suspended. Ontario will still raise electricity prices for U.S. customers, and B.C. is considering tolls on U.S. trucks going to Alaska.
Trudeau expects a prolonged trade war, following a heated call with Trump.
About 62% of Canadian imports remain subject to tariffs, as Trump pushes for U.S. companies to shift production domestically.
Absolutely! But it’s not just about the internal pressure. If everyone trump threatens retaliates even when he backs off, and then demands he offer assurances before they do, he looks weak. The one thing he doesn’t want, and can’t afford, is to look weak in front of his base. It won’t work immediately, but if he keeps looking weak on the public stage he’ll either stop making such threats in order to avoid it or lose enough support to matter.