{"text":[[{"start":0,"text":"The US has banned Canadian dairy products and other imports including motorcycles and most alcoholic beverages as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to expand its trade war with its second-largest trading partner."}],[{"start":24.361,"text":"The ban on imports worth “billions” of dollars would take effect in three weeks, US officials said on Tuesday. It comes one day after Ottawa imposed C$27bn (US$20bn) in retaliatory tariffs on US goods."}],[{"start":38.188,"text":"“We told the Canadians, you know, some weeks ago, when they threatened [retaliatory tariffs], that if they took this step, [the] United States would have no choice but to try to level the playing field once again,” a US official told reporters on Tuesday evening."}],[{"start":51.82,"text":"The move is the latest escalation in a tit-for-tat trade war between the US and its northern neighbour, whose relations have significantly deteriorated during the president’s second term. Traditionally allies, the two nations carried out nearly $900bn in trade last year."}],[{"start":67.526,"text":"Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian minister responsible for US trade, wrote on X late on Tuesday that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government was “currently assessing the latest tariff measures taken by the United States”."}],[{"start":79.736,"text":"“When the United States is ready to engage in dialogue, our government will work in good faith and constructively toward establishing safer and mutually beneficial trade relations that fully respect Canadian sovereignty,” he added."}],[{"start":91.44,"text":"Carney said earlier on Tuesday he did not believe that escalating the conflict was constructive but added that Canadian tariffs were “necessary to protect our workers, protect our companies and our communities”."}],[{"start":102.935,"text":"The barring of imports of Canadian alcoholic beverages will add new pressure to Ottawa after provinces including Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia pulled US alcohol brands from government-run liquor stores."}],[{"start":116.8,"text":"The US restrictions will be implemented under section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which allows the president to bar products from countries deemed to be discriminating against American commerce."}],[{"start":127.12,"text":"“President Trump is doing this to make sure, again, that we keep a level playing field, deter retaliation and of course protect American production,” a US official said on Tuesday."}],[{"start":141.92,"text":"The US official said there had been a “good constructive conversation” with Canadian counterparts in recent days after discussions over a trade deal collapsed last month. However, no new talks have been scheduled."}],[{"start":146.64,"text":"“I think there’s interest on the Canadian side in finding an alternative pathway, and as always we remain open,” the US official said."}],[{"start":155.84,"text":"Candace Laing, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said she expected Ottawa and Washington to return to the negotiation table. “The US Administration is punishing Canada by punishing themselves, for the whole world to see,” she said."}],[{"start":168.335,"text":"Earlier on Tuesday, Trump wrote on social media that the US would ban some government agencies from buying Canadian goods."}],[{"start":175.554,"text":"Trump on Monday called for a boycott of Bombardier, the Canadian business jet manufacturer, shortly before Ottawa’s retaliatory levies went into effect. The Montreal-based company employs more than 3,000 people at nine US facilities and sources goods from 2,800 American suppliers."}],[{"start":193.571,"text":"On top of the bans announced on Tuesday, Trump slapped duties of an additional 50 per cent on goods including cheese, furniture and paper, which will take effect next week, according to the US official."}],[{"start":205.526,"text":"The US official rejected claims this latest trade measure would harm local business, saying “it’s much more challenging for Canada than us”."}],[{"start":213.486,"text":"An FT poll released on Sunday found voters disapproved of the president’s tariffs and trade policy as his popularity slumped to an all-time low."}],[{"start":221.863,"text":"Some senior Republican Party members are also voicing worry that Trump is undermining their prospects in November’s midterm elections, as he brushes off voter concerns over the Iran war, inflation and AI data centres."}],[{"start":239.81,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1788931707_3242.mp3"}