Trump assails Canadian tariffs, accuses people of smuggling U.S. goods home
OTTAWA — While Donald Trump launched his latest tirade against the familiar Canadian targets of tariffs and dairy, nervous opposition MPs demanded answers on how to defend against the president’s next expected attack — potentially crippling auto tariffs.
The Trump administration has already imposed punishing tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, using national security as a justification.
But it is the investigation launched by the Department of Commerce — using the same national security clause — into whether tariffs should be slapped on cars and light trucks entering the U.S. that sparked major concern Tuesday for Conservative and New Democrat MPs.
Three MPs from the two parties — all representing auto-dependent Ontario ridings — pushed Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland for answers on the government’s strategy.