WASHINGTON – Canada was hit with 35 per cent tariffs on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to increase the duties if Ottawa didn’t make a trade deal.

The White House has said the tariffs would not affect goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, commonly known as CUSMA.

Prime Minister Mark Carney had tempered expectations of an agreement by Friday, saying Ottawa will only agree to a deal “if there’s one on the table that is in the best interests of Canadians.”

Carney has described the talks as complex, comprehensive and constructive.

Trump, meanwhile, has complained repeatedly about America’s northern neighbour.

“I think Canada could be one where they just pay tariffs – not really a negotiation,” he said last week.

Trump sign

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