Counter-measures covering several sectors come after Trump announced 50% tariffs on Canadian goods

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of American imports have come into effect, escalating a trade fight that has been marked by intensifying tensions between US president Donald Trump and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney.

The tariffs took effect at 12.01am on Tuesday, and range from 15% to 50% and apply to products covering $20bn in imports from the US. The measures target sectors including steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics – industries that have been most affected by US tariffs.

The retaliatory tariffs come “as a result of the United States’ decision to impose a 50% tariff on $20bn of Canadian goods effective August 22”, the Canadian government said.

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[+] 20 points 2 months ago (1 child)
  • [–] 7 points 2 months ago

    We haven't even cut off Russia from international trade. Just a few Russian billionaires and specific military goods and oil exports.

    An actual embargo would have ended the Ukraine war years ago.

    What are the odds anyone will do something meaningful against the US? Almost non existent. No nation is willing to sacrifice the tiniest bit of comfort for the good of humanity.

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  • [–] 32 points 2 months ago (21 children)

    Fuck the US. It’s time we moved on.

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  • [–] 11 points 2 months ago (20 children)

    They'll be crawling back with apologies that Canadians will benefit massively from in a couple of years.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago (19 children)

    Even if they did, it'd be too little too late

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  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago (18 children)

    I highly doubt that, in a future with a less cunty US government it serves no one to hold a grudge.

    Be careful about what's offered, sure, but grace beats spite every time.

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  • [–] 12 points 2 months ago (3 children)

    If you can't trust a treaty to hold over time/presidents, each fair deal must be immediately transactional.

    The Trump deal was already worse than the previous one, a new one will need be even worse.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    Why would they be?

    Trump’s deal is bad because he’s economically illiterate and has chosen to follow the advice of a crackpot economist. That doesn’t mean every future US administration will share his priorities or approach to trade.

    A subsequent government could quite reasonably decide that rebuilding a stable, mutually beneficial trading relationship with Canada is in the US interest.

    Canada would be right to be suspicious and play hard to get at that point, and when that happens they'll probably do quite well out of it.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    A subsequent government could quite reasonably decide that rebuilding a stable, mutually beneficial trading relationship with Canada is in the US interest.

    They could, but at any time another president can tear that agreement up and start another trade war. That's the whole issue — the US can no longer be trusted to adhere to agreements beyond 2/4 years.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago (11 children)

    Maybe not a grudge, but America will never gain our trust again.

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  • [–] 0 points 2 months ago (10 children)

    Only the sith deal in absolutes.

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  • [–] 0 points 2 months ago (9 children)

    So I guess I’m part of a fictional religious group now. Come back to reality and do something about the current situation

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago* (8 children)

    Like I said, absolutes are for idiots.

    You're talking about the current situation, as you say, im talking about how it'll go down the line.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (7 children)

    No, you said absolutes are for the Sith.

    Oh me too. If things are going to change it’s not going to be for the better. And I wonder what makes you things are going to get better after this presidency, if there will be another election at all that is

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (6 children)

    Yes with the implication being that you are being silly and im matching your energy while still conveying my general intent.

    Keep up.

    Because countries dont keep grudges with each other decades after the grudge initiator lost power.

    Is that a frustrating attribute of a country with constantly shifting values?

    Yes. Absolutely.

    Will it stop anyone trading with them when those values are good? Not really, because at the end of the day holding grudges is for children.

    That being said, if you slinging absolutes in outrage makes you feel better, I support that, you've every right to be outraged, but i'll cant lie to you and say I believe your angry assertions.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (5 children)

    Countries don’t keep grudges? My man, almost the entire Middle East have hated America’s guts for decades. Guess you forgot about all those terrorist attacks? Ask Finsland and Poland what they think about Russia. He’ll almost 75% of Europe will hate Russia’s guts for decades for all the shit they pulled. Go ask India and Pakistan how they are getting along. Every heard of the Palestinian and Israelian conflict? Yeah no grudge there! North and South Korea? Totally friends Greece and Turkey? Serbia and Kosovo? Iran and Saudi Arabia? Fucking Cuba man! They hate your country.

    And that’s skipping Africa and South America.

    Somehow this all seems like the comment of a typical American who doesn’t know what’s happening outside of America. Man are you going to be in a nasty surprise!

    Seriously dude

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (4 children)

    You're confusing "countries can hold grudges" with "countries will permanently refuse mutually beneficial trade because of a previous administration."

    Countries don't need to forgive or forget anything. They just need the trade to be in their interests.

    Im British. I can see why you dogged on this for so long but there's no gain in posturing here.

    Realistically, there is no reason Canada wouldnt accept a favourable trade deal from the US if offered. That just isnt how the world works, if you think elsewise you haven't been paying attention.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (3 children)
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago* (2 children)

    Lazy buzzword deflection, if you were paying attention to the conversation you should know the context has remained consistent.

    If you arent, you're just responding emotionally for some reason. Seems like a waste of your time.

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  • [–] 10 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Canada raises prices on American goods: Canadians buy elsewhere

    America raises prices on Canadian goods: Americans get fleeced by their government.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago

    Well one difference I can see is that for most of these trade wars the US were putting tariffs up against basically all foreign trade partners so that makes it that much harder to just buy elsewhere

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  • [–] 8 points 2 months ago

    The best would be to finally switch our manufacturing industries to the metric system. That way, we will be safe when the deliberate commercial bullying will be over.

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  • [–] -1 points 2 months ago

    I sure hope Canada has a decent military that doesn't rely on American equipment.

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