Tariff protesters rally outside U.S. Consulate in Vancouver

Vancouverites rallied at the U.S. Consulate Tuesday to protest the imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports.

The groups Toque Off and the 50501 movement organized the rally, with an open invite to Canadians and American ex-pats to gather at noon at 1075 West Pender Street in solidarity with others at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Ont.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s long-threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico went into effect Tuesday, putting global markets on edge and setting up costly retaliations by the United States’ North American allies.

Starting just past midnight, imports from Canada and Mexico are now to be taxed at 25 per cent, with Canadian energy products subject to 10 per cent import duties.

Toque Off says protestors are invited to “voice their opposition to these tariffs and especially to their stated goal of forcing Canada to join the United States.”

The same group organized in early February, attracting attention with posters calling for Vancouver to “tell Trump to Toque Off, eh.” It describes itself as both ‘pro-Canadian and pro-American’.

50501 describes itself as an American campaign against oppression and dictatorship, with 50 protests planned in 50 states on one day.

Toque Off says weekly demonstrations have been planned for Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the same location.

—With files from Emma Crawford