Trump Threatens 35% Tariff on Canadian Imports in Letter to PM Mark Carney

In a striking escalation of trade tensions, President Donald J. Trump on Thursday issued a formal warning to Canada, announcing that the United States will impose a 35% tariff on Canadian imports starting August 1, 2025. The announcement came via a letter posted on Truth Social addressed to newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

🧭 Why it matters

The letter underscores growing U.S. frustration with Canada’s alleged failure to curb fentanyl trafficking and longstanding trade barriers. It marks a renewed “America First” trade stance under Trump’s second term, signaling potential disruption across North American supply chains.

📄 What Trump wrote

In the letter, Trump emphasized that the United States had shown “strength and commitment” by maintaining trade ties with Canada despite Canadian retaliation over earlier U.S. fentanyl-linked tariffs. Trump blamed Canada for failing to prevent the flow of deadly drugs into the U.S. and criticized what he called Canada’s “extraordinary” tariffs — including claims of up to 400% tariffs on U.S. dairy exports.

Trump warned that any Canadian attempt to raise tariffs in retaliation would result in an equal percentage being added to the 35%. However, he also opened the door to negotiation, saying the tariffs could be adjusted “upward or downward” depending on Canada’s cooperation — particularly in combatting fentanyl trafficking.

🌐 Between the lines

Although Trump framed the move as national security-related, critics argue it may provoke a retaliatory economic spiral and complicate U.S.-Canada relations under the newly elected Liberal-Conservative coalition led by Carney. The Canadian Prime Minister’s office has yet to respond publicly to the letter.

📉 The broader picture

• The U.S. and Canada exchange over $700 billion in goods and services annually, making them each other’s largest trading partners.
• The Trump administration previously renegotiated NAFTA into USMCA, claiming a more balanced agreement. However, tensions over energy, dairy, and pharmaceuticals have persisted.
• This latest tariff threat comes just months before the 2025 G7 summit in Ottawa, where trade and synthetic opioid crises are top agenda items.

🗣️ What’s next

All eyes now turn to Prime Minister Carney’s response and whether Canada will engage diplomatically to avoid the steep tariffs — or respond with countermeasures that could spark a broader trade war.

Virginia Times will update this story as new details emerge.