Central Nova MP Sean Fraser slammed President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs as “insulting,” echoing comments made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week.
The White House imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and 10 per cent on aluminum, saying that Canada was a national security threat to the United States. Trump’s comments were met with fury by Canadians and widespread condemnation from federal politicians.
“It is completely unacceptable,” said Fraser on Tuesday. “When they’ve needed us, we’ve had their backs.”
He alluded to Canada’s long record as an American ally, supporting its neighbour in conflicts from the First World War to Afghanistan and the ongoing battle against terrorism.
However, Trump announced tariffs earlier this year, initially granting exemptions to Canada, Mexico and Washington’s European Union allies.
The president refused to extend these exemptions last week and claims the U.S. is being swindled by other countries when it comes to international trade.
Ottawa has responded by rolling out its own trade tariffs worth $16 billion against U.S. exports from agricultural products to everyday consumer goods. The EU has also announced its own measures.
“I don’t think he’s making decisions actively to make life difficult for our government, but with the tariffs in particular it’s hard to understand the rationale,” Fraser said of Trump.
Ottawa’s measures will not go into force right away, as the federal government is consulting with the public over what measures will have the least impact on Canadians while sending a strong message to the Trump administration.
However, the Canadian Steel Producers Association called on Trudeau to respond immediately, saying that 23,000 Canadian households are supported by employment in the steel sector.
The association echoed Fraser’s warning that Trump’s trade tariffs will risk jobs and drive up prices for customers.
He added that a trade war “hurts everyone.”
Trump is imposing tariffs despite his country enjoying a roughly $2 billion trade surplus with Canada.
Trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada have escalated ever since Trump took office last year.
He previously accused Canada’s softwood lumber industry of enjoying an unfair advantage over its American counterpart. The Americans say that Crown lands are turned over for timbering in exchange for job creation.
But in Nova Scotia, including Pictou County, most timber industries are located on private lands reflecting its true market value. Recognizing this, the Americans have granted the province exemptions from trade penalties.
