Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on auto imports, calling it a “direct attack” on Canada. He warned that the trade war is harming Americans, citing a decline in consumer confidence.
Speaking on Wednesday, Carney vowed to protect Canadian workers and businesses, stating, “We will defend our workers. We will defend our companies. We will defend our country.” However, he said he would review the specifics of Trump's executive order before announcing any retaliatory measures. The prime minister, who is currently campaigning for Canada’s April 28 election, will return to Ottawa on Thursday to lead a special Cabinet committee on U.S. relations.
To counter the economic impact of the tariffs, Carney previously announced a CA$2 billion ($1.4 billion) “strategic response fund” aimed at safeguarding auto industry jobs. He stressed the importance of the sector, which directly employs 125,000 Canadians and supports nearly 500,000 more in related industries.
Trump, who declared the tariffs “permanent,” had earlier granted Mexico and Canada a one-month exemption for U.S. automakers. However, with the new tax hike set to take effect in April, car manufacturers could face increased costs and declining sales. The move is part of Trump’s broader trade war, which has contributed to economic uncertainty. The Conference Board reported on Tuesday that U.S. consumer confidence fell for the fourth consecutive month, dropping to its lowest level since January 2021.
“His trade war is hurting American consumers and workers, and it will only get worse,” Carney said while campaigning in Windsor, Ontario, near the U.S. border.
In addition to auto tariffs, Trump has previously imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and is threatening widespread levies on all Canadian imports and other U.S. trading partners starting April 2.
“He wants to break us so America can own us,” Carney said. “But that will never happen because we don’t just look out for ourselves—we look out for each other.”
Carney, a former central banker in both Canada and the U.K., made these remarks near the Ambassador Bridge, which carries 25% of all trade between the two nations and plays a crucial role in auto manufacturing. He highlighted that the bridge facilitates CA$140 billion ($98 billion) in goods annually, amounting to CA$400 million ($281 million) per day.
“Now those numbers—and the jobs and paychecks that rely on them—are at risk,” Carney said. “The relationship between Canada and the U.S. has changed. We did not change it.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that the tariffs would disrupt the auto industry on both sides of the border, leading to simultaneous plant closures.
“President Trump calls it Liberation Day. I call it Termination Day for American workers,” Ford said. “I know Trump likes to say, ‘You’re fired!’—I just didn’t think he meant U.S. auto workers when he said it.”
Trump has escalated tensions with Canada, even suggesting it should become the 51st U.S. state—a stance that has angered many Canadians. At a campaign rally in Kitchener, Ontario, crowds repeatedly booed when Trump's name was mentioned.
Despite taking office on March 14, Carney has yet to speak with Trump, an unusual delay in communication between the two nations’ leaders.
“It would be appropriate for the president and me to have a conversation given these recent developments. I expect that will happen soon,” Carney said.
Opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also criticized the tariffs, warning they would harm both American and Canadian workers.
“The message to President Trump should be clear: knock it off,” Poilievre said. “He’s changed his mind before. He’s imposed tariffs, then removed them. It wouldn’t be surprising if he does it again.”
