"We Got Attacked": Canada's Carney Says US Launched 'Trade War'

After the negotiations between Washington and Ottawa broke down on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he walked away because of a 'bad trade deal' and vowed to slap retaliatory tariffs on the US on Saturday.

Carney claimed that the US proposed new terms that were "uneconomic" and "unfair" and said that they undermined the net benefits for Canada.

He accused US President Donald Trump of launching a trade "war" and said, "You're at war when you get attacked. We got attacked."

"We cannot accept what they've offered, and we will not give what they've asked," Carney said.

Negotiations between the neighbouring countries broke down on Friday in Washington, allowing new 50-per cent US tariffs impacting some $20 billion worth of goods, or 5.5 per cent of Canadian exports to the United States, to come into force.

Impacted products range from hockey sticks to cement.

Although Trump said that the US should be able to crack a trade deal with Canada because of his "good relationship" with Carney, the Canadian prime minister claimed that Washington's conditions were ultimately unacceptable.

Carney promised to retaliate against US tariffs "dollar for dollar".

"Canada will match the U.S.' new tariffs dollar for dollar in order to protect Canadian workers, farmers, families, and businesses. We take this step confident that it is in the best interests of Canada," he wrote in a post on X.

For over a year, Canada has worked intensively and in good faith with the United States to negotiate a new comprehensive trade deal. We have been pragmatic, patient, and persistent. Our goal has always been to get the best deal for Canadians, never a deal at any price or on any…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) August 22, 2026

New Canadian tariffs will notably target the US steel and dairy industries and take effect on September 8. Carney said further details would come next week.

On Friday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Washington had offered "significant tariff reductions on steel, aluminium, autos and lumber" in exchange for concessions from Canada.

Canada has been seeking relief from Trump's tariffs on autos, steel and aluminium, which have battered the country's economy, forced job losses and strained what was once an iron-clad trade relationship.

The White House had alleged "discriminatory treatment" by Canada against US alcohol, automobile and dairy products in introducing the duties.