Trudeau tells Trump tariffs against Canada were "a very dumb thing to do"
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had some choice words for U.S. President Donald Trump in response to the tariffs against Canada.
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico, except energy, which will be subject to 10 per cent tariffs. They kicked in this morning, causing U.S. and Canadian stocks to plummet immediately.
In a press conference Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs against $155 billion of American goods, beginning with taxes on $30 billion worth of products immediately. The list of US goods includes orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and more.
He says duties will be slapped onto the remaining $125 billion in American products in 21 days.
“Canadians are reasonable, and we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight, not when our country and the well-being of everyone in it is at stake,” said Trudeau during the press conference in Ottawa. “There is absolutely no justification or need whatsoever for these tariffs today.”
The prime minister said the government would also challenge “these illegal actions” by filing dispute resolution claims at the World Trade Organization and through the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USCMA).
Chip Somodevilla/Shutterstock
“While President Trump gave both Canada and Mexico ample opportunity to curb the dangerous cartel activity and influx of lethal drugs flowing into our country, they have failed to adequately address the situation,” reads a White House release from Monday.
It goes on to suggest that the flow of drugs like fentanyl into the U.S. has created a public health crisis.
Ottawa has reiterated numerous times that less than one per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada. Trudeau also reminded Trump of the appointment of Canada’s fentanyl czar and its $1.3-billion border plan that funds new Black Hawk helicopters, drones, mobile surveillance towers, and nearly 10,000 frontline personnel to protect the border and stop the fentanyl trade.
During Tuesday’s press conference, the prime minister first addressed Americans.
“We don’t want this. We want to work with you as a friend and ally, and we don’t want to see you hurt either, but your government has chosen to do this to you,” said Trudeau.
He went on to stress how the trade war will raise the costs of everyday items like groceries and gas, as well as major purchases like cars and homes.
Trudeau then addressed Trump, highlighting the historic USCMA deal.
“It’s not in my habit to agree with the Wall Street Journal, but Donald, they point out that even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do,” he added.
The prime minister was candid with Canadians, telling the country, “this is going to be tough.”
He says the government plans to help workers and businesses “weather this storm” by expanding EI benefits to make them more flexible and providing direct support to businesses.
Trudeau also fact-checked Trump’s social media post insinuating that Canada doesn’t allow American banks to do business in the country.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
“This doesn’t make any sense because about 16 American banks are currently active in Canada, holding about $113 billion worth of assets in this country,” he responded. “So, the American banks are alive and well and prospering in Canada.”
This comes after Trump implemented a 30-day pause on tariffs against Canada on Feb. 3 as negotiations continued.
Many Canadians have already taken matters into their own hands, joining in on the tariff spat by boycotting American-made goods and petitioning for “product of Canada” labels in grocery stores.