Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne defended Ottawa’s response to US tariffs, saying Canada did not initiate the dispute and would protect its economic sovereignty without seeking escalation. After trade talks collapsed last month, the US moved to impose 50% tariffs on key Canadian goods, while Canada’s counter-tariffs on $20 billion worth of US products took effect Tuesday. Champagne said the measures matched US actions dollar for dollar and targeted goods with domestic substitutes to reduce pressure on Canadians. He said Canada would continue trading with the US because of their shared border and more than a century of economic ties, while also pursuing Asian energy markets amid global energy-security concerns. The tariffs apply only to goods originating in the US and exclude shipments already in transit when implementation began. Champagne also urged national unity and rejected calls for greater uncertainty as Alberta’s separation debate advances. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the Canada-US trade gap and alleged that Ottawa is ripping off America.