Carney Announces Counter-Tariffs Against U.S., Major Projects Bill Advances
Ottawa, Ontario – Prime Minister Mark Carney today announced that Canada is taking new steps to protect its steel and aluminum industries in the face of ongoing U.S. tariffs, while simultaneously revealing an agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump to pursue a new trade deal within the next 30 days.
Speaking at a press conference on Parliament Hill, Carney confirmed that Canada’s existing 25 percent counter-tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum products, initially imposed in March, will be adjusted on July 21. This adjustment will align the counter-tariffs “to levels consistent with progress made in the broader trading agreement with the U.S.” This move is aimed at reinforcing Canada’s domestic strength and safeguarding Canadian workers and businesses from what Carney described as “unjust U.S. tariffs,” which Trump hiked to 50 percent earlier this month. The agreement with Trump for a 30-day negotiation period signals a concentrated effort to resolve the contentious trade dispute.
In other significant legislative news, the Liberal government’s major projects and internal trade bill (Bill C-5) has passed through committee with only limited changes, clearing the way for final votes in the House of Commons on Friday. This marks the last scheduled sitting day before the summer recess. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon emphasized the bill’s “strong support” from Canadians, noting it was central to the Liberals’ election campaign. Amendments made in committee include the crucial removal of the power for cabinet to sidestep the Indian Act when designating and fast-tracking major industrial projects. This change comes after weeks of intense criticism from First Nations leaders, who warned the bill could violate constitutionally protected Indigenous rights and lead to legal challenges.
Other Canadian political headlines today:
- New Ministerial Staff: Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, a recent addition to Prime Minister Carney’s cabinet, has appointed Eamonn McGuinty as his chief of staff and veteran Liberal operative Samir Kassam as his deputy chief of staff.
- Budget Officer’s Concerns: The Parliamentary Budget Officer today indicated that he expects Canada’s ramped-up defence spending to deepen the deficit and also stated he is “in the dark” on Ottawa’s fiscal targets.
- Controversial Diplomacy with India: Prime Minister Carney defended his decision to restore diplomacy with India, despite ongoing investigations into alleged Indian government involvement in the murder of a Sikh-Canadian in Surrey, B.C., calling the relationship “foundational.”
- Conservative MP Resignation: Details emerged today about the Conservative MP who stepped down to allow Pierre Poilievre to run for a seat, with the MP stating, “I didn’t get into politics for my pension.”
- National Public Pension Plan: CBC reported that nearly half of Canada’s national public pension plan is invested in the U.S., with only 12% invested in Canada.
- Wildfire Update: A rockslide in Banff National Park reportedly hit a number of hikers, with at least one fatality expected.