The top trade official of U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Canadian leaders for labeling the administration’s tariffs as part of a trade war against Canada. Jamieson Greer, in an interview with the Financial Times, played down the impact of the recently imposed 50% U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy and rebuked Prime Minister Mark Carney for his characterization of the trade dispute.
Greer emphasized that the tariffs, effective since August, only affect 5% of Canada’s exports to the U.S. He expressed disapproval of the rhetoric surrounding the trade tensions, stating that terms like “war” and “economic attacks” were exaggerated and unwarranted.
The interview, conducted for the FT News Briefing podcast, occurred before Canada’s retaliatory tariffs were implemented, prompting the U.S. to announce a ban on Canadian alcohol, motorcycles, and certain food products starting on September 29. Greer reiterated that tariffs are merely additional fees on foreign goods produced by foreign workers in foreign countries.
Following the retaliatory measures, Greer suggested that President Trump might take further action against Canada. Indeed, on Tuesday evening, Trump announced an import ban, plans to exclude Canadian companies from a U.S. procurement program, and adjustments to the list of Canadian goods subject to the 50% tariff.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Greer characterized these actions as a “natural consequence” of Canada’s trade strategies. He condemned Canada’s retaliatory tariffs as unjust and discriminatory towards American exports, such as alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and motor vehicles.
Greer’s stance aligns with other Trump administration officials who reject the notion of a trade war with Canada. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in late August, dismissed the idea of a trade war, stating that the U.S. is not in conflict with Canada.