Canadian officials are voicing their opposition to tariffs via digital billboards across several states.
In the Metro Detroit area this week, billboards have been spotted stating, “Tariffs are a tax on your grocery bill.”
CBS News Detroit contacted the Government of Canada, which sponsored the advertisements, on Wednesday. John Babcock, spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, provided a statement on Thursday indicating that the billboards were strategically placed in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, as well as Washington, D.C., and its surrounding regions.
“The Government of Canada has initiated an educational campaign to inform Americans about the economic effects of tariffs. This campaign is a tactical investment in Canada’s long-term economic interests and its trade relations with the United States,” Babcock explained. “Tariffs act as a tax on hardworking Americans in their everyday lives, resulting in higher prices for essential items like fuel and groceries. Our goal is to enhance public awareness and counteract misinformation.”
In response to President Trump’s tariffs, Canada retaliated by imposing tariffs on the United States. Mr. Trump suggested 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports from Canada, prompting Canada to propose nearly $21 billion in counter-tariffs.
Mr. Trump indicated he would escalate the tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50%, but later retracted that proposal and maintained the 25% rate.
Earlier this month, Ontario announced it would impose a 25% surcharge on all electricity exports sent to the U.S. This surcharge would have impacted consumers and businesses in Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. However, Ontario Premier Doug Ford later declared that Canada would suspend that plan, leading the Trump administration to back away from doubling tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
Recently, Mr. Trump imposed 25% tariffs on vehicles and auto parts imported into the U.S. on Wednesday. Experts warn that targeting imported cars could strain relationships with essential trading partners, including Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Europe. Currently, half of the vehicles sold in the U.S. are manufactured domestically, while about half of imported cars come from Mexico and Canada, with Japan, South Korea, and Germany also being significant suppliers.
In a related development, United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain expressed support for Mr. Trump’s tariffs on foreign-made cars, commending the administration for “taking steps to end the free trade disaster that has plagued working-class communities for decades.”
