DOJ Pauses Antitrust Cooperation with Canada Amid Trade Dispute

The U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division has been directed to pause cooperation with the Canadian government amid escalating trade tensions. Lynda Marshall, head of the antitrust division's international section, issued the directive without explanation, while the DOJ disputed the report, stating no such order was given. The situation comes as both nations face ongoing trade disputes, including retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada in response to U.S. tariffs.

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Lynda Marshall Mark Carney

The U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division was directed earlier this week to pause all work with the Canadian government as trade tensions between the two nations escalate, according to a report. Lynda Marshall, the chief of the antitrust division's international section, instructed officials on Wednesday to halt all cooperation on cases and engagement on policy issues with Canadian authorities, without providing a reason for the directive, according to emails obtained by The Wall Street Journal.Section chiefs in the antitrust division were also instructed in another email on Friday to provide lists outlining areas of cooperation with Canada by the end of the day, according to the newspaper.The DOJ disputed the report, stating that the "alleged direction was never given to anyone." The division clarified that it was asked to "temporarily hold off on a scheduled meeting on a specific investigation until the DOJ's antitrust team had more time to prepare." This development occurs as the U.S. and Canada, historically close allies, continue to experience tensions stemming from President Donald Trump's trade policies, including tariffs and an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America." Although the renaming only applies to the U.S. federal government, it adds to the ongoing tensions that have arisen since Trump's return to the White House in January 2025. The trade dispute has resulted in tariffs affecting tens of billions of dollars in cross-border trade. The Canadian government announced it would impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. beginning September 8 in response to the Trump administration’s new 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, which took effect last month.Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada "will match Washington's new tariffs dollar for dollar in order to protect Canadian workers, farmers, families, and businesses." The Wall Street Journal and Reuters contributed to this report.

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