Trump threatens 50pc tariffs on all cars and trucks amid Canada trade spat

WEB DESK: US tariffs on cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel will rise to 50 per cent from January 1, 2027, President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Monday, following the collapse of trade talks with Canada over the weekend.

“Build in the US, and there are ZERO TARIFFS. Canada will be treated like a State no longer!” Trump wrote.

“On Trade, and in other ways, also, they are among the worst Nations in the World to deal with. They feel entitled, and yet, WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking more details on the threatened tariffs. Representatives for the Canadian government also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The two countries failed to reach a trade deal late on Friday, with each side blaming the other as Canada readied tariffs on some US goods in retaliation for 50 per cent levies ordered by Trump on other Canadian products.

Major automakers did not immediately comment on Trump’s announcement.

But auto executives, speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, raised skepticism about Trump’s threat, noting the president has previously announced large tariffs that never materialized and that any tariff of that size would likely spark a massive Canadian retaliation.

They also noted January was months away following November’s midterm elections and that Trump’s threat could be aimed at restarting talks.