'We stand by your side': Germany's Scholz condemns Trump's attacks on Canada

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'We stand by your side': Germany's Scholz condemns Trump's attacks on Canada Outgoing German chancellor said European Union would 'react as one' in response to more trade tariffs Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images

Article content Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed solidarity with Canada to fend off President Donald Trump, who introduced tariffs against the northern neighbour and has repeatedly said it should become part of the U.S.

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Article content “Canada is not a federal state of anyone. Canada is a proud, independent nation. Canada has friends all over the world — and especially many of them here in Germany and Europe,” Scholz said at the opening ceremony of the Hanover Messe trade fair. “We stand by your side.”

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Article content Trump’s trade actions, along with suggestions that Canada become the 51st state, have strained ties between the North American neighbours. Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on imported automobiles and auto parts, called a “direct attack” by Liberal Leader Mark Carney. Canada’s leader said the move was a violation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade accord known as USMCA, which Trump negotiated during his first term in the White House as a replacement for the previous NAFTA pact. Recommended from Editorial 'Totally annoyed' Trump targets EU wine with 200 per cent tariff Why Canada is on Trump's 'Dirty 15' list but Russia and Iran are not Carney has called a national election for April 28, a contest in which the nation’s sovereignty and U.S. threats against its economy have become a dominant issue. In a tight race, his Liberal Party has a slight edge over the Conservative Party in a number of recent polls.

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Article content In a broader show of dissent against U.S. policies, Scholz criticized tariffs the Trump administration plans against Europe, saying any such move would trigger retaliation and leave both sides worse off. “I therefore say to the U.S.: cooperation remains Europe’s goal,” Scholz said. “But if the U.S. leaves us no choice, as with the tariffs on steel and aluminum, we as the European Union will react as one.” Trump’s threats to impose punitive tariffs on Europe, seize territories and pull military support from the region have irked European governments. Earlier this month, the U.S. imposed a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum imports, which led the EU to propose its own retaliatory duties on up to €26 billion of politically sensitive American goods. Trump is expected to unveil a broad slate of reciprocal tariffs against US trading partners on April 2. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.

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