Canada and Europe unite in their tariff counterattack against the US

The European Union and Canada have joined forces to retaliate against the tariffs imposed by the United States on European and Canadian steel and aluminum. 

The counter-tariffs of Canada and the European Union, meticulously coordinated, were revealed just a few hours apart.

The European Union has imposed counter-tariffs on American products worth 26 billion euros, targeting bourbon, jeans, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles in particular. These measures will take effect starting April 1.

Canada has imposed customs duties of 25% on 30 billion Canadian dollars worth of American goods, including beverages, cosmetics, and paper products. These measures will take effect from March 13.

These coordinated actions reflect the determination of America’s allies to respond firmly to U.S. trade policies while protecting their economies threatened by the decisions of a business partner.

A strong and coordinated response, mobilizing various federal levels, and meticulously prepared over several weeks. During her recent trip to Europe, Joly strengthened cooperation with the European Union, resulting in the adoption of counter-tariffs in reaction to measures deemed unjustified by the United States.

During her recent trip to Europe, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly expressed her concerns about the tariffs that American President Donald Trump plans to impose on Canadian products, calling them an «existential threat» to Canada.

In this context, Minister Joly met with her European counterparts to discuss these challenges and other common priorities in foreign policy, thereby strengthening coordination between Canada and its European partners in response to American trade policies.

These exchanges have allowed Canada and Europe to strengthen their unity and preparedness in the face of the potential threats posed by American trade policies to their respective economies and according to Melanie Joly, to coordinate these counter-tariff measures against the tariffs of the American president.

As Canada hosts the G7 member countries in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, several discussions are scheduled between the Canadian government and the American administration, notably with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, regarding the trade tensions related to the recent tariffs imposed by the United States.

In addition to these economic negotiations, discussions will focus on major global issues such as the war in Ukraine, stability in the Indo-Pacific, and cooperation in energy and climate security.