North American Trade Tensions: Canada calls US tariffs illegal

World
Europe

01:43

Canada's Foreign Minister has told US lawmakers tariffs against her country are "illegal" under World Trade Organization rules. Chrystia Freeland was in Washington after her country hosted one of the most divisive international summits in recent memory. And as Owen Fairclough reports, these two neighbors appear unable to narrow their differences.

Canada's Foreign Minister in Washington just days after her country hosted an acrimonious G7 summit that belied these smiles, fueling an escalating trade war with the U.S.

Time, then, to try to mend fences.

CHRYSTIA FREELAND CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER "We really really value our relationship with the United States. It's really important to us."

But that relationship is under strain. Canada is due to impose retaliatory tariffs against the U.S on July first after the Trump administration announced duties on metal imports from Canada and Mexico, its NAFTA free trade pact partners.

The Trump administration claims those cheaper imports threaten national security by putting U.S. jobs at risk.

CHRYSTIA FREELAND CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER "The notion that Canadian steel and aluminum could pose a national security threat to the United States. I think Americans understand it's simply not the case. That action is also illegal under WTO and NAFTA rules."

But if Canada, Mexico and the U.S. can't find common ground in trade, they can at least unite in sport celebrating Wednesday's victory in their joint bid to host football's World Cup in 2026. Owen Fairclough, CGTN.