In a powerful statement made at NATO headquarters, Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly declared that the diplomatic and trade relationship between the United States and its traditional allies “will never be the same again” following President Donald Trump’s latest tariff decision.
Speaking to European leaders during a meeting of allied foreign ministers, Joly warned that Trump’s aggressive trade policies had placed a major strain on long-standing alliances.
“That’s my message to Europeans,” she said. “The relationship with the U.S. will never be the same.”
Trump Hits Allies With Harsh Tariffs
Earlier this week, President Trump announced a 20% tariff on all imports from the European Union, effectively placing the 27-nation bloc in the same category as economic rivals like China, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
The move represents one of the most extreme trade protectionist steps taken by the U.S. since the Great Depression era of the 1930s, signaling what Joly described as a “global reset on trade” — one that began with Canada.
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Canada Responds: “We Buy More From the US Than China and Japan Combined”
Joly strongly criticized the logic behind the tariffs, emphasizing that Canada is one of America’s top trading partners.
“We buy more from the U.S. than the U.K., France, China, and Japan combined,” she said.
“When you treat your best client the way we’ve been treated, it means you want to fundamentally change the way you’re operating.”
A Hidden Tax on American Citizens?
The Canadian foreign minister also issued a warning directly to U.S. citizens, stating that tariffs are essentially a hidden tax on consumers.
She called on European leaders to carry this message to the American public, in hopes of influencing the U.S. administration and pushing back against policies that could ultimately hurt both sides of the Atlantic.
“Tariffs are a tax on the American people,” Joly said. “Europe must help deliver that message.”
A New Era of Global Trade?
This latest development raises serious concerns for global trade stability and signals a potential shift in transatlantic relations.
While the full economic impact remains to be seen, Joly’s remarks suggest a growing consensus among U.S. allies that Trump’s “America First” approach could redraw the global trade map — possibly for years to come.
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