BATAMCLICK.COM – Canada’s Prime Minister-elect, Mark Carney, has expressed his readiness to meet with United States officials to negotiate an end to the ongoing trade war. However, he emphasized that any discussions must be based on respect for Canada’s sovereignty.
“We are ready to sit down and talk, as long as there is respect for Canada’s sovereignty,” said Carney, speaking to workers and media at the Dofasco steel plant in Canada.
Carney acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s concerns about protecting American workers and the fentanyl crisis but stressed the importance of maintaining a strategic partnership between the two nations.
Carney’s statement came after Trump intensified the trade war by imposing a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada. In response, Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced a retaliatory tariff worth 29.8 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 20.78 billion US dollars or IDR 341.5 trillion), effective from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. local time.
“This is a firm response to unfair tariff policies,” said LeBlanc.
Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly described the tariffs as an “existential threat” to Canada. “The reasons for imposing these tariffs change daily, but what remains consistent is President Trump’s attempt to annex our country through economic coercion,” she stated firmly.
Amid rising tensions, several Canadian officials, including LeBlanc and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, are scheduled to meet with US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on Thursday (March 13).
LeBlanc hopes the meeting will persuade the US to withdraw the harmful tariffs and prevent similar policies planned for April 2. He also emphasized the need to directly address Trump’s statements, which are perceived as undermining Canada’s sovereignty.
“We will convey our objections directly and firmly,” LeBlanc concluded.
