Canada 'leading the charge' against Trump's tariffs - Foreign Minister Joly

Canada is 'leading the charge' against Trump's trade war with $60 billion worth of counter tariffs on American goods, and is urging Europe to retaliate too, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told Euronews in an exclusive interview.

Joly wants the rest of the world to retaliate against Trump's tariffs, and said the American people also need to speak up as their jobs are also on the line.

Although Canada was omitted from Trump's announcement of tariffs against over 180 countries last Wednesday, it was one of the first countries in the firing line weeks previously when the White House announced crushing taxes on major Canadian exports such as steel and aluminium.

"We were the canary in the coal mine. We are under three executive orders coming from the White House, one on our entire imports of 25% tariffs, which we were able to partly pause, but for 40% of all our goods being sent to the US, there's still 25% tariffs. We also have 25% on our steel and aluminium going to the US, and we also have 25% tariff against our auto sector," Joly told Euronews. 

In response, Canada announced $60 billion worth of tariffs on American goods entering Canada. Joly says the counter-tariffs are the only route to disrupt Trump's plans and force him to retreat, despite the fact the White House has warned against any retaliation. 

"We're defending ourselves. We never started this trade war, and it is clear to us, knowing so well the American people, that the Americans don't agree with the actions coming out of the White House," she said.  "Millions of jobs in the US can be lost because of a trade war with Canada."  

Joly hopes others will join the fight. "Not only are we leading the charge, we're the country at this point that has imposed