Summary

Donald Trump warned he may impose tariffs of 50 to 100% on Canadian-made cars, claiming Canada “stole” the U.S. auto industry.

The U.S. and Canada have had a deeply integrated automotive sector since the 1965 Auto Pact, later reinforced by NAFTA and CUSMA.

Trump also enacted 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum to protect U.S. industries.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to push back, with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc traveling to Washington to meet Trump’s commerce pick and argue against the tariffs.

  • Drusas
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    483 months ago

    There are Canadian cars?

    Edit: I read the article and no, these are American cars which are being made in Canada.

    • Bob Robertson IX
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      183 months ago

      Correct, these are American cars, which American companies decided to move production to Canada for cost savings. And now, because those American companies made a decision, our moron in chief claims that Canada stole those jobs.

      More smoke and mirrors while he and his goons continue to destroy the country and steal everything of value.

      • @Nollij@sopuli.xyz
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        32 months ago

        It’s a bit off topic, but I’ve always wondered how it was cheaper to manufacture cars in Canada. I can’t imagine Canadian wages are lower than the Deep South, which has a ton of US auto manufacturing.

  • originalucifer
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    333 months ago

    its going to suck living under a dictator forcing us to use/purchase inferior products.

    ‘freedom’

    • @1995ToyotaCorolla@lemmy.world
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      133 months ago

      Most American brands aren’t actually made in the US. Chances are if you look at the label in your car’s driver side door it’ll say something about being manufactured in Mexico or Canada.

      • @Someone@lemmy.ca
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        53 months ago

        Cars actually Built in the states will have a VIN starting with 1, 4, 5, or 7. 2 means Canada and a 3 followed by a letter means Mexico.

      • @Grass@sh.itjust.works
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        23 months ago

        ah yes… I somehow ignored the “-made” part. stole sounds less bizarre that way but surely it must have been the company suits chasing cheaper manufacturing or something.

  • @xzot746@sh.itjust.works
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    33 months ago

    I get how shitty it would be for Canadian exports that have the tariff applied to them, but would it help some items become cheaper in Canada?

    Now I understand that we do not do the final assembly or finishing on a lot of what is sent, but would we see it drive local prices down or would business try to justify higher prices to offset their loss (you know because it is the law of the universe that profits must always go up).

    In the big picture, we stop shipping oil, we stop sending electricity and cars and or parts, keep food items here, in the long run would things become cheaper while we are looking for new markets to sell to, or while we are building our own systems to finish items where practical?

    We as a nation cannot let that dumbfuck control our economy, every time it happens we say, “oh we need to diversify” and yet we never do because the US usually smartens up and sees us as an alie not an adversary, but I wouldn’t count on that fron the US for quite some time as the government hasn’t been sold to the tech douche bros and corrupt Republicans (or repugnicans).

    • @barfplanet@lemmy.world
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      43 months ago

      You might see short term savings on some things during the economic turbulence, but overall it will make things more expensive in the short and long term.

      For things that Canada is a net exporter of, like Canola, you might see a sudden oversupply when exports stop, and then cheaper products. In the long term, farms will adjust or go out of business. The expenses that come along with that wind up on the consumer eventually.

      For manufactured items, if a business is shifting to solely domestic markets, they lose a lot of economies of scale which again increases costs.

      Overall, free trade is a mixed bag. It ultimately saves consumers money, but leads to larger multinational businesses and reduced national autonomy.

      Unwinding free trade gives up the reduced costs and costs a lot of money in retooling and reestablishing supply chains etc.

  • Flying Squid
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    73 months ago

    Well that settles it. I’m not buying one of those Canadian car brands now.

    You won’t catch me dead driving a L’Automobile Candienne Maple Leaf SUV!

        • @JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world
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          33 months ago

          I did of course mean ecologically friendly and not economically friendly.

          That said - less than ten times the price to help the environment and of course make the country smell like a pancake breakfast? Sign me up!

      • @otp@sh.itjust.works
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        23 months ago

        Reminds me of the Simpsons’ beer-powered car at the gas/beer station.

        “One [pump] for you, one [pump] for me!”

  • @catloaf@lemm.ee
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    153 months ago

    Encouraging domestic production is all well and good, but this doesn’t do that. And besides, people like me are going to continue buying foreign vehicles for the manufacturing quality and durability.

  • @FabledAepitaph@lemmy.world
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    73 months ago

    Please do it. The most impacted will be the business owners, companies, and country folk that grind through cars the quickest. I have to drive, but I’m set up to go a very long time before I need a “new” car.

  • @Soup@lemmy.world
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    43 months ago

    Well, it’s a good thing I live where public transportation and even just straight up walking is not only viable but actually preferable!

    Shame the rest of the country was too busy crying about “freedom” and is about to get rat-fucked as their only viable mode of transportation(as it stands because they have not invested in good cities and towns) more than doubles in price! And oooooh how it will be nice to see the stupid overly large, and overly expensive, crossovers, SUVs, and trucks be the ones to get hit the hardest.

    I wonder which country will be fucked harder.

    • @Someone@lemmy.ca
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      93 months ago

      The fun thing is due to Tesla’s business model this would effectively stop all Tesla sales overnight. Already bought one? Unless you’re picking it up in the next day or two it probably hasn’t cleared customs yet. Might want to cancel.