Washington (United States) (AFP) – US President Donald Trump vowed Monday to double tariffs on Canadian vehicles beginning next year, as the historically friendly neighbors spiral into an escalating trade war.

Trump's threat comes after the historic North American allies failed Friday to reach a deal to avert new 50-percent US tariffs on select Canadian goods. The duties took effect Saturday, and Ottawa laid out plans for retaliation.

"On January First, 2027, Tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel, will be increased to 50%," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Monday.

The current US tariff impacting Canadian autos stands at 25 percent for non-US content, while imported steel to the United States generally faces a 50-percent duty. US automakers did not immediately comment on the matter.

After rejecting what he called a "bad deal," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs effective September 8.

These will target US steel and dairy, while also covering sectors like agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, alongside electronics.

Carney said Monday that the goal of trade talks with Washington "has always been to get the best deal for Canadians, never a deal at any price or on any time frame."

"We learned that, during the negotiations, the Americans wanted to destroy our major industries -- including the automotive, steel, and aluminum sectors -- through unfair negotiating terms. And that is one of the main reasons why we said no," he added.

He stressed that building domestically and diversifying trade abroad has been "plan A from the start."

Over the weekend, Carney added that US negotiators also sought last-minute restrictions on Canadian trade deals with other countries.

US negotiators made unacceptable "threats" to the French language and "Quebec culture" too, he said, referring to the French-speaking province in eastern Canada.

At a separate event Monday, however, US Vice President JD Vance blamed Canada's "unreasonable last-minute demands" for the deal falling through.

The United States is by far Canada's biggest trading partner, with Canadian exports to its neighbor representing 70 percent of its overall total.

Canada is the United States' second biggest trading partner in goods this year, behind Mexico, government data showed.

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