Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney accuses U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘direct attack’ over 25% auto tariffs, vows to protect jobs, industries.
“This is a pretty shot across the bow,” Carney said in an campaign stop at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario. “We will defend our workers, our industry, our country”
Trump, escalating his confrontational trade approach, announced the tariffs “permanent,” foreshadowing more U.S.-Canada trade disputes. In response, Carney has summoned a special cabinet meeting in Ottawa and a CA$2.0bn ($1.4bn) relief fund to protect Canadian auto jobs. 
Autos is Canada’s second-largest exports, employing more than 625,000 people. The tariffs could severely break down the North American production chain, leading to job loss on both sides, Carney was quoted as saying. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said similar things, adding, “If these tariffs proceed, plants on both sides will shut down.”
With tensions escalating, Canadian officials are thinking of retaliatory measures – including new tariffs on U.S. exports. Meanwhile, Trump trade war declines American consumer confidence, which has hit all-time low.
As Canada draws closer to a federal election on April 28, the economic effects of the tariffs will be on the agenda. “We won’t be intimidated,” Carney declared, as the PM prepared to put up a fight to safeguard Canada’s economic interests.
