Prime Minister Mark Carney said he doesn’t believe in escalating the trade war with the US, but he argued counter-tariffs are necessary to cushion the blow for Canadian businesses and workers. As Canadian retaliatory tariffs kicked in on Tuesday, Carney addressed the deterioration in trade relations with the US, as well as his government’s economic plan. He emphasized that the measures are intended to protect domestic industries, not provoke further conflict.

Carney’s comments came amid ongoing tensions following US tariffs on Canadian goods, which prompted Ottawa’s response. The Canadian government maintains its stance that trade actions are defensive in nature, aimed at mitigating economic harm rather than intensifying disputes.