Trudeau says ‘no question’ Trump is serious on tariff threat
Trump has said the tariffs will remain in place until both countries stop drugs, in particular fentanyl, and people from illegally crossing the borders.
Canada is bracing for significant tariffs on its goods as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has urged Canadians to take this threat seriously, emphasizing the potential harm to both Canadian industries and American consumers.
Trump's proposed tariffs, announced earlier this week, are intended to remain in place until both countries address the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, and people across U.S. borders. The announcement has sparked widespread concern over the economic impact on Canadian industries.
Speaking in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Trudeau underscored the seriousness of Trump’s intentions. “Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out,” Trudeau stated. “There’s no question about it. Our responsibility is to point out that this would not only harm Canadians who work closely with the U.S. but also raise prices for American citizens and hurt American industries and businesses.”
In response to Trump’s announcement, Trudeau emphasized the importance of a unified “Team Canada approach” to address the looming challenges. On Wednesday, he convened a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss U.S.-Canada relations and strategies to navigate the potential tariffs.
“We’re going to work together to address concerns and respond to these issues,” Trudeau said, “but ultimately, it will take constructive, real conversations with President Trump to ensure we stay on the right track for all Canadians.”
Trump’s proposal has drawn criticism from political leaders across Canada, as well as growing concern from business groups. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne urged Canadians to take the threat seriously but noted there is still time to engage with U.S. counterparts. “We have to take that seriously, there’s no doubt,” Champagne said. “But we’ll stand up for Canada and its workers.”
Immigration Minister Marc Miller also highlighted shared interests between Canada and the U.S. in managing border security, stating that Canada is exploring a range of measures, including deploying additional resources to strengthen the border.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for a plan to “put Canada first” and did not rule out potential retaliation against Trump’s tariffs. When asked if he would be willing to take such action, Poilievre responded, “If necessary.”
