U.S. President Donald Trump’s long-promised “reciprocal” tariffs are set to be unveiled Wednesday, adding further uncertainty to the Canadian economy and global trade with the U.S.
Many unknowns remain on the new policy, which Trump has taken to calling “Liberation Day” for the U.S., including what rates the tariffs will be at and whether Canada could see some relief.
Trump and his administration also appear to have different views on how broad the policy will be. He told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that “all countries” will face the new tariffs — at least at first — after his top economic adviser Kevin Hassett suggested earlier this month they would focus on 10 to 15 countries with the worst trade imbalances.
A new set of tariffs would further rattle Canadian industries that rely on U.S. trade — particularly the auto sector, which is bracing for the return of blanket 25 per cent tariffs on …