NEW YORK, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on cars, automotive parts and steel imports from Canada after trade talks between the two North American neighbors failed.
"On January First, 2027, Tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel, will be increased to 50 percent," Trump wrote in a social media post. "Canada will be treated like a state no longer."
"Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years," Trump said. "We don't need Canada, they need us."
Local media read the move as an escalation of a trade war between the two countries.
The two neighbors failed Friday to reach a deal to avert new 50 percent U.S. tariffs on select Canadian goods. The United States currently collects a 25 percent tariff on Canadian cars, and imposes a 50 percent tariff on steel imports from Canada.
Trump blamed Canada for the collapse of talks, alleging "discriminatory treatment" by Canada against U.S. alcohol, car and dairy products.
Besides the trade deal, the United States and Canada need to agree on revisions to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, which Trump has refused to renew in its current form. ■
