Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would respond in-kind.
Canada will place retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion of American goods, including alcohol, clothing, appliances, and food products, Trudeau said. The first wave, $30 billion, will start Tuesday, with the remainder following in 21 days, which Trudeau said was for Canadian businesses to have time to find alternative suppliers.
Trump had been threatening the sweeping tariffs since before he was sworn in as president. They were originally expected the day of his inauguration. Trudeau said Saturday night he has been unable to reach Trump since the inauguration but hopes to be able to speak to him soon.
Trump also ordered a 25 per cent tariff on Mexican imports and 10 per cent on products from China.
“Access to the American market is a privilege,” the White House said in a statement Saturday.
Trump said the tariffs are in response to an inflow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants from Canada, as well as what he says is America’s substantial trade deficit with Canada.
In an address Saturday evening, Trudeau appealed to Americans to recognize the longstanding bond between Canada and the United States, referencing times Canadian and American soldiers have fought alongside each other. He also stressed the integrated trade relationship between the two countries, insisting the tariffs will hurt both Canadians and Americans.
Trump has indicated the tariffs on Canada will remain in place until Canada resolves its border security and problems with fentanyl trade.
“The extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency,” the White House said, adding that the tariff will last “until the crisis is alleviated.”
The Canadian government has put $1.3 billion into border security measures since facing the threat of tariffs after Trump won the election in November.
Canadian officials have repeatedly stated that less than one per cent of illegal border crossings and fentanyl flowing into the United States come from Canada, but the message has fallen on deaf ears.
“There is also a growing presence of Mexican cartels operating fentanyl and nitazene synthesis labs in Canada,” the White House said. “A recent study recognized Canada’s heightened domestic production of fentanyl, and its growing footprint within international narcotics distribution.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc will hold a press conference at 6 p.m. Saturday to lay out Canada’s response to the tariffs. Trudeau also said he will meet with provincial premiers.
Trudeau has previously said he is prepared to respond with force, including retaliatory tariffs.
