Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended trade negotiations with the United States after describing last-minute changes to the deal's terms as "unfair", directing Canadian negotiators to return to Ottawa. The decision came after US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Canada declined to finalize the agreement under previously agreed terms.
The 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion in Canadian goods took effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT Saturday, affecting products previously protected under the USMCA. Carney pledged that Canada would retaliate "dollar for dollar" to protect Canadian workers and businesses.
Earlier, Dominic LeBlanc had spent roughly eight hours in meetings with Greer, stating negotiators "have more work to do". US Vice President JD Vance told attendees at a private fundraiser that Carney had tried to "out-tough Donald Trump" in trade talks. A Leger poll found 56% of Canadians wanted no further concessions to Washington.