WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said in a letter that he will raise taxes on many imported goods from Canada to 35%, deepening a rift between two North American countries that have suffered a debilitating blow to their decades-old alliance.

U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his tariff assault on Canada on Thursday, saying the United States would impose a 35 percent tariff on imports next month.

In announcing new tariffs on Canadian goods and throwing yet another wrench into the country’s most important economic relationship, Mr. Trump exemplified why Ottawa has been scrambling to find new trading partners in order to reduce Canada’s reliance on its neighbour to the south.