Canada can strike back swiftly if U.S. imposes tariffs, experts say

By Canadian Press on January 29, 2025.

OTTAWA — Canadian international trade lawyers say that if the U.S. follows through on President Donald Trump’s threat to impose massive tariffs on Canada as early as Saturday, Ottawa could hit back with retaliatory tariffs almost immediately.

Typically, Canada gives advance notice of any plan to impose tariffs and takes about a month to consult with industry representatives on tariff targets.

But experts say the federal cabinet can skip that process and strike back within a day or two by simply issuing an order for new tariffs — without recalling Parliament.

The White House doubled down this week on Trump’s threat to hit Canada with economically devastating tariffs as soon as Feb. 1.

With that deadline nearing, it’s still not clear how the Trump administration would go about imposing 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs.

The U.S. could launch them immediately on national security grounds or go through a months-long regulatory process.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2025.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press