Canada is ready to retaliate with countervailing measures if U.S. President Donald Trump imposes his threatened tariffs on Tuesday, says Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.

The federal government is set to implement a first tranche of $30-billion as part of $155 billion in tariffs altogether, she said during a visit to the Port of Vancouver.

“We don’t want a trade war,” she said. “We will never launch one. But of course, if there are decisions that are taken by the White House, we will retaliate. We will react.”

Joly and other cabinet ministers spent recent days in Washington with their U.S. counterparts and White House officials, trying to avert Trump’s threatened, but delayed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. The sweeping tariffs would cover steel and aluminum, which could face an additional 25% levy.

Canadian energy, which comes primarily from Alberta, and critical minerals would face a lesser 10% tariff.

Joly said Ottawa is willing to consider Washington’s new request to match U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports.

“When it comes to the U.S. and their own concerns, we’re able to have conversations, we’re very open to have also trade-related conversations, including when it comes to China,” said Joly.

She expects to have conversations with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the topic and anticipates that Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc will discuss it with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Pictured: Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.

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