Canada Hits U.S. With $13 Billion in Retaliatory Tariffs

What’s the story?

• Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on $13 billion worth of U.S. goods, including ketchup, pizza, dishwasher detergent, and lawn mowers.
• The E.U., Mexico, and Canada are striking back against the Trump administration’s decision to impose heavy tariffs on steel and aluminum.
• President Donald Trump levied the tariffs against Canada in the name of national security.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted:

Why does it matter?

• President Trump has accused Canada of engaging in unfair trade policies which results in a massive trade surplus with the U.S. This, the president claims, hurts U.S. workers.
• But many American businesses say Trump’s tariffs will actually harm U.S. workers and American consumers. On Monday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – the nation’s largest business group – launched a campaign to oppose the administration’s trade policies.

“The administration is threatening to undermine the economic progress it worked so hard to achieve,” said chamber president Tom Donohue in a statement to Reuters. “We should seek free and fair trade, but this is just not the way to do it.”

What do you think?

Do you support the tariffs? Or do you agree with Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that they’re “a tax hike the American people don't need and can't afford”? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

 —Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: Thinglass / iStock)