Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has voiced his dissatisfaction with the United States’ decision to impose new tariffs on certain Canadian exports, describing the move as “disappointing” and counterproductive to North American economic cooperation.

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Thursday, Trudeau stressed that the new tariffs targeting sectors including aluminum and steel undermine the spirit of trade partnership between both countries under the USMCA agreement.

“It’s disappointing to see these measures reintroduced at a time when our two economies should be working more closely than ever,” the Prime Minister said. “Canada has always supported fair trade, and we will continue to stand up for our workers and industries.”

The Biden administration announced the duties earlier this week, citing concerns over what it described as market imbalances and the need to protect American manufacturers. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai noted that the move was driven by a surge in Canadian exports that allegedly hurt American industries.

Canadian officials, however, argue that the tariffs are unjustified and threaten the stability of cross-border supply chains. Ottawa is expected to pursue consultations under the USMCA’s dispute resolution mechanism and may consider retaliatory measures if the duties are not rolled back.

Trade experts warn that the escalation could strain bilateral relations and disrupt key sectors reliant on cross-border trade, including automotive and construction industries.

This latest development marks a fresh chapter in a long-running series of trade tensions between the two allies, who maintain one of the world’s largest trading relationships.