Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calls Trump’s auto tariffs a ‘direct attack’ on his country [Video]

Trump said earlier that he was placing 25 per cent tariffs on auto imports and, to underscore his intention, he stated “This is permanent”.

“This is a very direct attack,” Carney responded.

“We will defend our workers. We will defend our companies. We will defend our country.”

Canadian PM Mark Carney called Trump’s new tax a “direct attack” on Canada. (AP)

Carney said he needs to see the details of Trump’s executive order before taking retaliatory measures. He called it unjustified and said he will leave the election campaign to go to Ottawa on Thursday to chair his special Cabinet committee on US relations.

Carney earlier announced a $2.23 billion “strategic response fund” that will protect Canadian auto jobs affected by Trump’s tariffs.

Autos are Canada’s second-largest export, and Carney noted it employs 125,000 Canadians directly and almost another 500,000 in related industries.

“Canada will be there for auto workers,” he said.

Trump previously granted a one-month exemption on his stiff new tariffs on imports from Mexico …