The administration of US President Donald Trump enters a new phase of the trade war, after imposing 50 percent tariffs on Canadian imports worth $20 billion, in conjunction with its readiness to impose tariffs ranging from 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from about 60 countries through a different legal path.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney considered the step a violation of the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada, stressing that negotiations would continue while hinting at countermeasures if the tariffs take effect.

In response, Washington is trying to limit the economic repercussions by exempting some goods and maintaining negotiations on some files, amid fears that the expansion of tariffs could increase inflationary pressures and raise living costs, with the midterm congressional elections approaching, as well as deepening uncertainty in global trade.

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