Trump halts Canada trade talks, plans tariffs over tech tax
President Donald Trump just slammed the brakes on trade talks with Canada, and it’s no surprise why. Canada’s new Digital Services Tax, a blatant jab at American tech giants like Amazon and Google, has sparked a firestorm, as Breitbart reports. Trump’s not playing nice, and tariffs are looming.
Trump announced the termination of trade negotiations with Canada on Friday, days after the NATO Summit where Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was present.
The move follows Canada’s decision to impose a Digital Services Tax, which targets U.S. tech companies and applies retroactively to 2022. This tax, set to collect its first payments on Monday, has ignited tensions.
Canada’s tax doesn’t just hit American firms; it also squeezes domestic tech companies. But let’s be real -- when you slap a tax on Google and Meta, it’s Uncle Sam who feels the sting. The U.S. has been vocal about its opposition, yet Canadian officials this month doubled down, refusing to pause the tax.
Trade talks derailed
Trade talks with Canada had been inching forward since the days of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Those gains? Poof -- gone, thanks to Trump’s decision to pull the plug. Canada’s refusal to budge on the tech tax was the final straw.
“We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE with, has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies,” Trump said.
He’s not wrong -- Canada’s tax feels like a copycat move, mimicking the European Union’s playbook. And when you poke the bear, expect a roar.
Trump didn’t stop there. “Based on this egregious Tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately,” he declared. The message is clear: mess with American tech, and you’ll pay a price.
Tariffs on horizon
Trump plans to unveil a new tariff on Canadian goods within the next seven days. Currently, Canadian goods compliant with the USMCA agreement dodge tariffs, but non-compliant goods face a hefty 25% tariff, courtesy of Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” policy. Energy and potash? They’re hit with a 10% tariff.
Canada’s no stranger to playing hardball. For years, they’ve slapped tariffs as high as 400% on U.S. dairy products, squeezing American farmers while protecting their own. Trump’s latest move seems like a tit-for-tat response to Canada’s economic muscle-flexing.
Let’s not forget the history here. Trudeau retaliated against Trump’s earlier tariffs, escalating tensions before any progress was made in trade talks. It’s a cycle of economic one-upmanship, and neither side seems ready to blink.
Canada’s tax gamble backfires
Canada’s Digital Services Tax was meant to rake in revenue, but it’s now costing them a seat at the trade table.
Targeting American tech giants might’ve seemed bold, but it’s a risky bet when your neighbor is the world’s economic powerhouse. Trump’s tariff threat is a reminder of who holds the bigger stick.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Canada. With payments for the retroactive tax starting Monday, businesses are already scrambling. Adding tariffs to the mix will only deepen the economic strain.
Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs were a warning shot to the world: play fair, or pay up. Canada’s decision to ignore U.S. objections to the tech tax suggests they underestimated Trump’s resolve. Now, they’re about to learn the cost of that miscalculation.
Escalating tensions threaten trade
American tech companies are caught in the crossfire of this trade spat. Canada’s tax, while broad, feels like a direct challenge to Silicon Valley’s dominance. Trump’s response -- pulling out of talks and promising tariffs -- shows he’s not afraid to escalate.
For years, Canada’s 400% dairy tariffs have been a sore spot for U.S. farmers. Trump’s latest move flips the script, using tariffs to hit back at Canada’s tech tax gambit. It’s a classic MAGA play: protect American interests, no apologies.
Trade tensions with Canada are nothing new, but this latest chapter feels like a turning point. With tariffs on the way and talks dead in the water, both nations are digging in for a fight. The question is, who’ll flinch first?




