U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is blaming Canada for Washington’s latest escalation in the trade dispute, arguing that Ottawa chose retaliation instead of accepting a nearly completed agreement with the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed five new executive orders Tuesday in response to Canada’s latest round of counter-tariffs on American goods.
The measures, which are scheduled to take effect later this month, will prohibit imports of certain Canadian products into the United States, including motorcycles, some dairy products and alcoholic beverages.
At the same time, the Trump administration exempted several Canadian products from tariffs, including road salt, toilet paper and cement.
Greer described the latest U.S. action as a “natural consequence” of Canada’s approach to the dispute, accusing Ottawa of discriminating against American exports and pursuing what he called “senseless retaliation.”
He said Trump intends to protect American workers and exporters while seeking greater reciprocity in U.S. trade relationships.
Greer says Canada walked away from negotiations
Greer also criticized Canada’s handling of recent trade negotiations, saying Ottawa had sought additional concessions that Washington was not prepared to provide.
According to Greer, Canada’s decision to walk away from negotiations did not make economic sense because the two sides had been close to reaching an agreement.
His comments come as the two countries exchange increasingly restrictive trade measures, deepening uncertainty for businesses and industries that depend heavily on cross-border commerce.
U.S. senator calls for de-escalation
Republican Maine Senator Susan Collins welcomed some of the exemptions announced by the Trump administration but urged Washington to continue working toward resolving the dispute.
Collins had previously raised concerns about the impact tariffs could have on communities in her state, particularly those near the Canadian border.
She pointed to Frenchville, Maine, where tariffs on Canadian road salt could have added approximately $10,000 to local costs and potentially affected the town’s ability to provide municipal services.
The senator also noted that the latest exemptions followed Canada’s decision to remove American seafood and fish products from its retaliatory tariff list — a move she said protected Maine’s lobster industry from significant economic harm.
However, Collins warned that tariffs on forest products remain in place and could increase costs for residents and businesses in the state.
She called on the Trump administration to continue pursuing efforts to de-escalate the Canada-U.S. trade conflict.
Carney warns economic shift will carry costs
Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged that Canada’s effort to reduce its economic dependence on the United States will carry significant costs.
However, Carney has argued that accepting Washington’s demands without pursuing greater economic diversification would ultimately be more damaging to Canada.
The latest measures add another layer to the rapidly escalating trade confrontation, as Ottawa and Washington continue imposing tariffs and other restrictions while blaming each other for the deterioration of one of the world’s largest bilateral trading relationships.
