WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) is calling for a reset in U.S.-Canada trade relations, urging Canada to eliminate its tariffs on American goods to avoid retaliatory action by the Trump administration. Speaking on the Senate floor, Kennedy laid out his case for mutual tariff reductions and fair trade between the two longtime allies.
“Canada is one of my favorite countries in the world,” Kennedy began. “The American people and the people of Canada are friends, and I would like our economies to be friends—and I mean that.”
But Kennedy noted growing tensions between the two nations over trade imbalances and tariffs. He cited a $63 billion trade deficit, with Canada selling far more goods to the U.S. than the U.S. exports to Canada.
“In response, the Canadian government, the new Prime Minister Mark Carney, has pretty much bowed up,” Kennedy said. “When President Trump said, ‘The tariffs are uneven, so I am going to raise American tariffs,’ Carney bowed up and said: ‘Well, if you raise your tariffs, then I’m going to raise mine even more.’ And that is how you get into a trade war.”
Kennedy suggested a simple solution: eliminate tariffs entirely.
“That is my respectful challenge to Prime Minister Carney tonight,” Kennedy said. “If you think President Trump is being unfair and is not a free trader, then reduce your tariffs to zero, and ask President Trump to reduce our tariffs to zero on Canada. Let’s go back to being friends again.”
Background on Upcoming Tariff Plans
Kennedy’s remarks come ahead of President Trump’s anticipated April 2 announcement of a new round of tariffs targeting American trade partners. The administration is preparing to introduce reciprocal tariffs, meaning U.S. tariffs will match those imposed by other nations on American products.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has signaled optimism, suggesting that countries like Canada may opt to negotiate and reduce their tariffs once they realize the U.S. will match them dollar for dollar.
Kennedy’s remarks underscore the stakes involved in maintaining healthy trade relationships while defending American industry. “Let’s avoid a trade war,” he said. “Let’s let the best, cheapest product win.”
The speech has already sparked conversation on both sides of the border as trade watchers anticipate the next move in what could become a significant shakeup in U.S.-Canada economic relations.