Ontario Construction News staff writer
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed legislation that would terminate new tariffs on Canada, just hours after President Donald Trump unveiled new duties against countries spanning the globe.
The Senate voted 51-48 to approve the bill and send it to the House of Representatives, where it is likely to be shelved.
The bill would terminate a national emergency Trump declared on Jan. 22, which he linked to illegal imports of the deadly fentanyl drug from Mexico, Canada and China and used to target Canada with steep new tariffs.
Also on Wednesday, Trump unveiled his “liberation day plan” to hit various nations tariffs. Following the announcement, The Canadian Press reported that a White House Fact sheet said Canada and Mexico were exempt from new reciprocal tariffs. However, goods imported under the existing trade deal would not face tariffs.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Trump’s auto tariff coming into effect at midnight an “unfair attack” on the Canadian economy and the auto sector.
“The president is betraying America’s closest friend and attacking our economy, proving once again that Canada must end its era of overdependence and weakness,” Poilievre said during a campaign rally in Kingston.
“We must be an economic fortress that can defend itself, that can stand up for its own people and put Canada first.”
Premier Doug Ford said he’s “very, very grateful” that Canada has been spared from new U.S. import tariffs.
“That’s what we’ve done, at least myself with (U.S. Commerce) Secretary Lutnick. He’s a very great business mind, along with the president, so we just look forward to a great relationship,” he said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is vowing to fight U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods that remain in place.
While Canada escaped Trump’s reciprocal global tariffs this afternoon, duties on several goods — including non-compliant CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) goods, aluminum and steel, that were imposed last month — remain in place.
A 25 per cent tariff on foreign-made cars and light trucks is now in effect.
“We are going to fight these tariffs with countermeasures,” Carney said, noting that the U.S. signalled today that it may impose tariffs on pharmaceuticals, lumber and semiconductors.
“In a crisis, it’s important to come together. It’s essential to act with purpose and with force and that’s what we’ll do.”