• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

As Trump's America 'becomes weaker,' Canada vows to become stronger by diversifying trade partners

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 12 July 2025 9:02 PM

Canada has vowed to further strengthen itself by pursuing a diverse trade policy as opposed to the United States protectionist economic approach that has seen President Donald Trump unleash a deluge of tariffs on various countries, including Washington's own allies.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly made the remarks on Friday amid escalating trade tensions prompted by the US's "unstable" courses of action under Trump, including its threatening to slap Ottawa with a sweeping 35% tariff on Canadian products starting August 1.

"We're in solution mode," she said, referring to her country's efforts at protecting jobs and deflecting strain from deeply intertwined supply chains in the face of Washington's adventurism.

"Ultimately, while the US is becoming weaker, we will become stronger and we will diversify," the official said, and specified the European Union as a key target of Ottawa's push towards further diversifying its trade links.

"We are not in normal times," Joly stated, stressing the importance of economic diplomacy amid the situation, and pledging that Canada would defend its workers, while accelerating efforts to secure trade deals beyond its southern neighbor.

'Entire world at mercy of US's unpredictability'

The whole situation, the official regretted, had been brought about because "we're dealing with a very unpredictable US administration."

The unpredictability, she added, concerned not only Canada, but also the EU and virtually "every single country on this planet."

Trump's Thursday night announcement, delivered via letter, cited a mix of reasons for the drastic tariff hike, including fentanyl allegedly "pouring into" the US from Canada, persistent trade deficits, and Canada's dairy supply management system.

However, US government data show fentanyl imports from Canada are negligible, with a Manhattan Institute study indicating that roughly 99% of illicit fentanyl flows from Mexico.

Nevertheless, Trump doubled down on Friday, saying his tariff proposal had been "fairly well-received," though he did not specify by whom.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by convening high-level meetings to brace for the fallout. In a post on X, he announced plans to meet his cabinet on July 15 and hold talks with provincial premiers on July 22.

"Throughout the current trade negotiations with the United States, the Canadian government has steadfastly defended our workers and businesses," Carney wrote. "We will continue to do so as we work towards the revised deadline of Aug. 1."

Trump retains threat mode

Additional threats also loom large. Trump has floated imposing a 50% tariff on copper and a staggering 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals, directly targeting sectors where Canada sends more than half of its exports to the US.

He has also warned Canada against retaliatory tariffs, saying any increase would be matched "on top of the 35%."

Back in April, Carney delivered a stark message following his Liberal Party's election victory, declaring the country's old relationship with the United States to be "over" amid escalating trade tensions.

Speaking to supporters in Ottawa, Carney said Canada must "never forget the lessons" of Washington's "betrayal," referencing US tariffs that had strained bilateral ties and damaged Canada's economy.