Carney looking at 'all options' as Trump announces 50% tariffs on Canada

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Trump: 50% tariffs response to Canada's treatment of US farmers

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada, in retaliation for what he called "unequal treatment" of US cars, dairy and alcohol.

Everyday consumer items like wine and hockey sticks, as well as industrial goods such as cement, are on the target list. Several key exports, though, will be spared, including energy, potash, critical minerals and fish.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had spoken to Trump and both leaders agreed to "intensify" trade talks in a bid to calm growing trade tensions between the North American neighbours.

But he warned "all options" were on the table in terms of how Canada could respond to the fresh tariff threat.

Since the tariff war broke out more than 18 months ago, Carney said, Canadians have "stood together" by buying home-produced goods and agreeing new trade routes with other countries.

"[The] country is stronger, stronger because we are united, and we will remain united," he told reporters.

Tensions between the major trading partners have been simmering since Trump returned to office in January last year and unleashed a wide-ranging global programme of tariffs, sometimes to pursue objectives not directly linked to trade.

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods that are paid to the government by companies bringing in the foreign products.

Asked about the latest tariffs, which the White House says will take effect in 30 days, on Tuesday, President Trump said Canada had been "very, very tough on us over the years" and "no other presidents done anything about it".

"I love Canada, I love the people of Canada, many friends that live in Canada," he said. "Without us, there's no way they can survive."

The latest move by Trump comes after the US Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that many of the tariffs imposed globally under emergency powers were illegally enacted. The president has since sought other legal avenues to push through his flagship trade policy , as seen in Monday's announcement.