U.S. trade representative defends new tariffs on Canada

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended President Donald Trump's plan to impose 50 per cent tariffs on many Canadian products during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday in Washington. Greer said the administration sees the U.S. trade deficit as a national emergency and described tariffs as part of a broader effort to support American workers, raise wages and encourage more domestic manufacturing. He said the Canada tariffs were prepared in advance and were meant to respond to Canadian trade measures affecting sectors such as alcohol, dairy and autos. The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect on Aug. 19 and would apply to roughly $20 billion US in Canadian exports each year. Greer also said the administration hopes to have options for broader trade arrangements with Canada and Mexico later in 2026 as part of ongoing CUSMA negotiations.