Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday that US demands during trade negotiations showed Washington sought to deepen Canada's reliance on America rather than pursue genuine "economic partnership," as Ottawa's retaliatory tariffs against the US took effect.

According to Anadolu Agency, Carney reflected on history in a video message, drawing parallels with the current trade dispute. He mentioned that "before he became president, William McKinley was an Ohio congressman known as the 'Napoleon of protection.'" Carney highlighted how McKinley championed the Tariff Act of 1890, which imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian exports to the US, adding, "Sound familiar?"

Carney explained that the 19th-century tariff was designed to pressure Canada into dependence and potential annexation by the United States. However, he noted that it led to the opposite outcome, with Canada diversifying its economy while the US experienced inflation, a financial crisis, and a four-year economic depression.

He emphasized the potential for a mutually beneficial trade agreement between Canada and the United States, one that "respects our sovereignty" and "lowers costs for families on both sides of the border." Carney criticized the US for consistently demanding short-term transactions, even as Canada proposed long-term partnerships.

Carney remarked that "at the 11th hour," Washington was still pursuing restrictions on Canada's cultural policies, such as protecting and promoting the French language. He stated that Canada made the right choice to walk away from a bad deal as US demands indicated a desire for dependency, not a true economic partnership.

He also confirmed that Canada is matching the new US tariffs with its own, dollar for dollar, while expressing his reluctance to escalate the conflict. Following the collapse of trade talks between Canada and the US last month, the US imposed 50% tariffs on key Canadian goods.

In retaliation, Canada's tariffs on $20 billion worth of US goods took effect early Tuesday, further escalating the trade war between the neighboring countries. Canada clarified that these counter-tariffs apply only to goods originating from the US and will not affect shipments already in transit on the day of implementation.

The trade dispute has significantly intensified under the administration of US President Donald Trump, with successive rounds of import taxes and retaliatory measures. Trump has consistently criticized the Canada-US trade gap, using it as a justification for imposing tariffs and alleging that Ottawa is "ripping off" America.