The immediate cause of the escalating tensions between Canada and the United States stems from Canada imposing a staggering $29.8 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods, effective March 13, 2025. This decision is a direct response to the steel and aluminum tariffs enacted by President Trump just days earlier on March 11, 2025. Trump's swift implementation of these tariffs was intended to protect American industries, but it inadvertently incited a retaliatory measure from Canada, which has historically been a key trading partner. As a result, this trade dispute quickly escalated into a tit-for-tat scenario, highlighting the vulnerability of both nations' economies to international trade policies.