Canada to challenge Trump's tariffs at WTO, seeks redress under free trade deal
Ottawa plans to challenge President Donald Trump's tariffs through a World Trade Organisation claim and seek redress under a regional trade agreement, a Canadian official disclosed on Sunday. Canada views these tariffs, including a 25% levy on imports and 10% on energy resources, as breaches of US trade commitments.
Ottawa will file a World Trade Organisation claim against US President Donald Trump's tariffs and also seek redress under a regional free trade deal, a Canadian official said on Sunday.
"The Canadian government clearly considers these tariffs to be a violation of trade commitments that the United States has taken," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told a briefing.
After weeks of threats, Trump on Saturday signed off on 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian imports except energy resources, which will be hit with a 10 percent levy.
"We will obviously pursue the legal recourse that we believe we have through the agreements that we share with the United States," the official said, citing the WTO and US-Mexico-Canada agreement (CUSMA) that Trump himself signed in 2018.
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A review of the pact, which a Canadian official called a "gold standard agreement," was due to be held next year.
The list includes cosmetics, appliances, tires, tools, plastics, furniture, coffee, wines and spirits, dairy and fruits.
(AFP)
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