Canada will match US tariffs 'dollar for dollar' as trade talks break down(bbc.com)
719 points by tartoran 53 days ago | 1658 comments
tl;dr: US-Canada trade talks collapsed Friday night after PM Mark Carney rejected last-minute US changes he called "unfair and uneconomic," triggering new 50% US tariffs on roughly 5% of Canadian exports including wine, dairy, cement, and clothing. Carney pledged dollar-for-dollar retaliation, ending negotiations that had been close to reducing tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos. Analysts estimate the new tariffs could cut Canadian GDP by 0.3% to 0.6%, with Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia most exposed.
HN Discussion:
  • ↑Canada's dollar-for-dollar retaliation is the correct response to US tariff aggression
  • ~Other countries (EU, Japan, Korea) should have collectively resisted rather than caving individually
  • ↑US demands went beyond tariffs into cultural/sovereignty issues like French labeling and streaming content
  • ↑US is breaking trust in trade relationships, causing long-term damage and pushing Canada toward China
  • •Weary acceptance that the trade drama is out of Canada's control and pain is inevitable