Canada 'disappointed' as Trump raises tariffs to 35%

ISTANBUL

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that the government is "disappointed" with US President Donald Trump's decision to raise Canada's tariff rate to 35% from 25%.

"President Trump has announced that the United States will increase its tariffs to 35% on those Canadian exports that are not covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA," Carney wrote on social media.

He noted that while the Canadian government is "disappointed" by this decision, it will remain committed to CUSMA, the world's second-largest free trade agreement in terms of trade volume.

Carney explained that the US defended its decision by citing the cross-border flow of the opioid analgesic fentanyl, which is abused as a drug.

He emphasized that his country accounts for only 1% of the flow of fentanyl to the US and that they are working diligently to further reduce this amount.

Carney also said "historic" investments are being made in border security to arrest drug traffickers, take down transnational gangs, and end migrant smuggling.

On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order raising the tariff rate on Canada from 25% to 35%.

The White House announced that the new tariff rate on Canada would take effect on Aug. 1.

A White House statement said that Canada had failed to cooperate in stopping the ongoing flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs and was retaliating against actions taken by the US.