The top trade official under U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Canadian leaders for characterizing the administration’s tariffs as a trade war against Canada, calling it “unhinged.” Jamieson Greer, in an interview with the Financial Times, downplayed the impact of the 50 percent U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy and expressed disapproval of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s portrayal of the trade dispute.
Greer emphasized that the tariffs, implemented in August, only affect five percent of Canada’s exports to the U.S. He rejected the notion of escalating the situation to the level of a war or economic attack, stating that the focus should be on business and economics instead.
The interview took place before Canada retaliated with tariffs, prompting the U.S. to announce a plan to ban imports of Canadian alcohol, motorcycles, and certain food products starting on September 29. Greer’s office later underlined his stance through a news release, emphasizing that the tariffs were simply additional fees on foreign goods made in foreign countries, not acts of aggression.
Greer indicated that he had presented response options to Trump regarding Canada’s retaliatory tariffs, hinting that the president might take action. Subsequently, Trump announced the import ban, restrictions on Canadian companies in U.S. government procurement programs, and adjustments to the goods subject to the 50 percent tariff.
In a news release, Greer labeled these measures as a “natural consequence” of Canada’s trade tactics, stating that Canada’s retaliation was unjustified and targeted important American exports. He clarified that the U.S. response was a result of Canada’s discriminatory treatment towards American exports in various sectors.
Greer’s rejection of the term “trade war” echoes previous sentiments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who also dismissed the idea of a trade war with Canada in late August. Bessent emphasized that there was no conflict of that nature between the two countries.
