Washington - Arab Canada News

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce a new set of retaliatory tariffs in the coming hours as part of the ongoing escalation in the trade war with several partners, notably Canada and the European Union, according to U.S. reports cited by CTV News.

Sources in the U.S. administration confirmed that the announcement will include reciprocal tariffs on strategic imports, covering sectors such as pharmaceuticals, steel, and automotive parts, in addition to key consumer goods.

Political and Economic Goals

This escalation comes under the slogan of "reciprocal treatment," which Trump has been reiterating since the beginning of his term, as he seeks – according to his statements – to restore trade balance between the United States and its partners and prevent what he termed the "ongoing exploitation of American markets."

Trump said in a recent tweet:

"If they are imposing taxes on us, we will do the same, and strongly. We are not asking for preferential treatment, but for fairness."

Expected International Reactions

Expectations indicate that this move will elicit strong reactions, especially from Canada and the European Union, which had previously announced their readiness to impose similar retaliatory measures in the event of Washington escalating.

Emergency meetings are expected to take place in Ottawa and Brussels today to assess the ramifications of the U.S. decision and determine an appropriate response.

Concerns in Markets and Supply Chains

Financial markets have already begun to show clear signs of concern, as some shares of industrial and transportation companies recorded an immediate decline following leaks of escalation intentions. Observers fear that this new round of tariffs could lead to disruptions in global supply chains and increased costs of essential goods for consumers.

Background:

These developments come at a time when U.S.-Canadian trade relations are experiencing unprecedented tension, particularly after Canada's decision to impose counter-tariffs on U.S. imports in response to earlier actions by the Trump administration.