As Canada's retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of U.S. goods took effect on Tuesday, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne defended Ottawa's countermeasures.
At an event in Edmonton, Alberta, on Wednesday, Champagne said Canada had not started the trade dispute.
"We did not start this. We are responding. We do not want to escalate tensions, but we know how to respond and how to protect ourselves."
Champagne said Canada would not allow interference with its economic sovereignty and stated that the tariffs had been prepared in a deliberate manner. He said Ottawa had matched the rates imposed by the United States and noted that the countermeasures targeted goods that could be replaced by domestic production in Canada, with the aim of reducing pressure on citizens.
Retaliation against the U.S. 50% tariffs
After trade talks between the two countries ended without an agreement last month, the United States began imposing 50% tariffs on key Canadian products. The tariffs prepared by Canada in response cover $20 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Ottawa said the counter-tariffs would apply only to products manufactured in the United States. Goods already in transit on the day the measures took effect were excluded.
Champagne said Canada would continue trading with the United States because of the countries' shared border and economic ties spanning more than a century. However, the minister said Canada needed to turn toward energy markets in Asia and that discussions about global energy security could strengthen the country's position.
Message of unity in Alberta
The successive imposition of reciprocal import tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump's administration further intensified the tariff dispute. Trump cited the trade deficit between Canada and the United States as one reason for the tariffs and accused Ottawa of economically harming the United States.
Champagne also addressed efforts to hold an independence referendum in Alberta. The Canadian finance minister said there was no need for more uncertainty and that the country should focus on building, staying united and supporting one another. Champagne said the world would not wait for Canada to take advantage of new opportunities.
