The United States was the destination of 68.3% of Canadian goods exports in May, “one of the weakest proportions ever recorded”, a consequence of the trade war launched by Donald Trump, according to figures released Thursday by the National Statistics Agency.
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Canada has compensated for this withdrawal by an increase in expeditions to other countries: while exports of goods to the United States has decreased for a fourth consecutive month, shipments to other nations have reached “a record level,” said Statistics Canada.
The share of Canadian exports for the United States increased from a monthly average of 75.9% in 2024 to 68.3% in May 2025, one of the lowest proportions ever recorded. “
Imports from the United States also fell, for the third month in a row.
In total, Canada’s trade surplus with the United States has increased slightly to reach $ 3.2 billion Canadian (2.4 billion US dollars).
Intense negotiations are held between the liberal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Trump administration to try to reach an agreement that would avoid climbing customs duties.
Donald Trump has currently imposed heavy taxes on car imports as well as on steel and aluminum-two metals that Canada has historically exported in large quantities to the United States. The North American automotive sector is also very integrated.
Carney set the deadline for a new trade agreement on July 21, failing which he would in turn impose taxes of 25% on American steel and aluminum, in response to the recent double of American taxes on metals which now amount to 50%.
In May, the total Canadian exports believed 1.1%, increased by an increase in gold expeditions to the United Kingdom.
Canada has also exported more oil to Singapore, aluminum and pharmaceutical products to Italy, and pork to Japan. However, this increase was partially erased by a drop in canola and oil exports to China.