OTTAWA — The United States imposed 50 per cent tariffs on billions of dollars worth of 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
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“Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters is deeply disappointed that Canada and the United States were unable to reach an agreement. The newly imposed Section 338 tariffs, coupled with existing Section 232 tariffs—particularly those on steel, aluminum, autos and auto parts—will compound the challenges facing Canadian manufacturers and the 1.8 million Canadians who work in the sector.
“They will raise costs, disrupt integrated supply chains, and make Canadian companies less competitive. They will also deepen the uncertainty that is already causing businesses to delay investments in new facilities, machinery and equipment, technology and workforce development.”
This outcome is not sustainable for many manufacturers, especially SMEs, which are the lifeblood of Canada’s economy."
Dennis Darby, president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
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“New Brunswick stands strong and united with Team Canada as we fight for a fair deal. Some New Brunswick businesses have now been hit with an unjustified tariff that will hurt our economy, workers and families. New Brunswickers have been fiercely loyal to our local businesses and producers. Now, more than ever, we need to double down on buying local and supporting New Brunswick businesses and workers.”
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt
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“The Team Canada approach has kept us strong and united throughout these negotiations, and we need that same strength and unity now.
“I will continue working alongside Premiers and the federal government to stand up for Canadian interests and make sure Prince Edward Island has a strong voice in the path forward.
“Island workers, businesses, and exporters can count on our government to stand with them and be there for those impacted.”
P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz
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“The Prime Minister was right to walk away from the negotiating table last night. I believe Canadians are united in this crucial moment, on this crucial point: no deal is better than a bad deal.
“Accepting a deal that would lock in pointless, destructive tariffs and undermine our ability to regulate big tech would have been disastrous for our workers, industries and sovereignty. PM Carney read the room by rejecting the Americans’ offer.”
NDP Leader Avi Lewis
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“I continue to stand ready to support and work with the Prime Minister. We will work together to do everything possible to protect the massive number of Nova Scotian and Canadian families, workers and businesses that have now been added to the large list of those directly impacted by President Trump’s devastating tariffs.
“It’s clear that we cannot trust or rely on the United States as we once did. This reality must make us more determined than ever to make Nova Scotia and Canada stronger. For Nova Scotia that means developing our own energy, developing our own natural resources and finding new markets for Nova Scotian goods and services.”
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston
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“Newfoundland and Labrador stands firmly with Team Canada. I want to thank the negotiating team for their hard work and dedication in navigating discussions with an unpredictable partner.
“The Prime Minister has my full support as we maintain a united Team Canada approach. Newfoundland and Labrador stands ready to do its part.”
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham
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“For some period, we’ll be trading damaging uncertainty for turmoil. The questions now become: how far escalation will go and where is the pathway back to a re-negotiated, balanced CUSMA agreement. “This is a moment for the provinces and Ottawa to move together, not to let this fight split the country along regional lines. We must maintain coordinated provincial action as we continue to address this challenge.”
Giles Gherson, President & CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade
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“The breakdown of tariff negotiations is extremely concerning for Hamilton businesses and workers. As a steel and manufacturing city with a significant agricultural sector, we know the uncertainty ahead will be stressful for many Hamiltonians.
“The Prime Minister is fighting for Canada’s economic future, and I will continue to advocate for our federal and provincial partners to stand firmly behind Canadian workers and industries, so Hamilton businesses have the support they need as they continue to weather this uncertainty.”
Mayor of Hamilton Andrea Horwath
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“For generations, Canadian and American farmers have worked as partners, supplying food, feed, fertilizer, equipment, and other essential inputs that support a strong North American food system. The breakdown in negotiations and escalation of new tariffs create uncertainty at a time when farmers are already facing significant challenges, including rising input costs, market volatility, and increasingly unpredictable weather.”
Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture
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“While we had hoped for a different outcome, we recognize the efforts of Canada’s negotiating team in pursuing a stronger result. The impacts of these unjustified U.S. tariffs will be felt across Canada, but not equally. Some regions will face greater pressure on local jobs, industries, and economic growth than others, and no municipality should be left carrying a disproportionate share of the burden.”
Tim Tierney, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2026. Catherine Morrison and David Baxter, The Canadian Press
