In a stunning escalation of economic hostilities, President Donald Trump has announced a staggering 50% tariff on copper, sending shockwaves through Canada and igniting fears of a trade war that could reverberate across North America. As the July 21 deadline for critical trade negotiations looms, Canada’s response is resolute: “Canada is not for sale.”

The announcement came as a surprise, following a series of aggressive tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber, marking a troubling trend in U.S.-Canada relations. Canadian Minister of Industry Mark Carney has taken a calm but firm stance, emphasizing that the tariffs are not just an economic issue but a matter of national sovereignty. “We will not negotiate in public,” Carney declared, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to protect its workers and industries from what he termed “unjustifiable” tariffs.

While Trump’s tactics seem aimed at leveraging fear to gain the upper hand, experts warn that the real fallout may land squarely on American consumers. The copper tariff, aimed at pressuring Canada, could backfire, leading to increased costs for everything from electronics to automobiles in the U.S. The British Columbia Mining Association has already cautioned that the American economy will feel the sting more acutely than Canada’s, as most Canadian copper is shipped to Asia and Europe, not the U.S.

In a world where trade relations are increasingly volatile, Carney’s strategy focuses on resilience rather than retaliation. With a $2 billion auto fund in place to shield Canadian workers from economic aggression, Canada is positioning itself as a stable partner in a chaotic global market. The message is clear: while Trump may wield tariffs like weapons, Canada is building bridges, not walls.

As the clock ticks down to the July 21 deadline, the stakes are higher than ever. Canada is not just defending its economy; it is asserting its independence in the face of intimidation. The world is watching, and as the drama unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s tactics will yield the desired results or lead to a deeper rift with its northern neighbor.