Prime Minister Mark Carney has called Tuesday’s doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump “unjustified” and pledged to respond, but what that response might look like isn’t clear yet, with officials batting down the idea of immediate counter-tariffs.
Trump’s order increasing the 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum announced in February to 50 per cent came into effect at midnight Tuesday, and some industry experts and politicians, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, immediately called for swift retaliatory tariffs.
So far, the federal government hasn’t said what retaliatory measures Canada might use, but Industry Minister Mélanie Joly indicated Wednesday afternoon that the government won’t be announcing matching tariffs on U.S. goods at the moment.
What is the federal response so far?
Carney called the new tariffs “unjustified” and “illegal” in a comment to reporters Wednesday morning ahead of the regular Liberal caucus meeting but did not reveal any new government actions.
“They’re …