Trudeau Vows Strong Response if Trump Proceeds with Tariff Hike on Canada

Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has warned that his government is prepared to take firm economic measures if US President Donald Trump follows through on his plan to impose tariffs on Canadian imports. Speaking at a special cabinet meeting in Montebello, Quebec, Trudeau emphasized that Canada will respond with “robust, rapid, and very strong” retaliatory actions, CBC News reported.

The warning comes after Trump announced plans to introduce a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico starting February 1, citing concerns over immigration and fentanyl smuggling. “We are considering a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada because they are allowing vast numbers of people, and fentanyl, to enter the US,” Trump stated.

Trudeau dismissed Trump’s unpredictable trade tactics, saying he has learned to expect a high level of “uncertainty” from the US President. However, he reaffirmed that Canada is equally skilled at negotiations and would not hesitate to impose countermeasures to protect its economy.

“We aim to maintain a strong, positive relationship with the US, but we won’t back down in the face of unjust tariffs,” Trudeau stated. He highlighted that Canada’s natural resources, including oil, lumber, steel, aluminum, and critical minerals, are crucial for the US economy, giving Canada significant leverage in trade talks.

Although Trump delayed signing an executive order imposing the tariffs after his inauguration, he later indicated that his administration still intends to implement the 25% tariff within two weeks. Additionally, he signed a new “America First” trade policy, directing officials to investigate illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking and to submit a report by April 1 on possible trade measures to address the issue.

Even during the final stages of his 2024 campaign, Trump had repeatedly threatened tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. He has continued to advocate for aggressive tariff policies, arguing they would benefit the US economy, despite expert warnings that such measures could burden American consumers with higher costs.

In a statement earlier this month, Trump pointed to the “massive trade deficits” the US has with Canada, reinforcing his commitment to imposing tariffs on its imports. The situation remains tense, with both nations preparing for a possible trade standoff.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Instagram, like us on Facebook & subscribe to our YouTube Channel, which is updated daily.