The sharp retort of outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing a 25% tariff on nearly all imports from Canada. He reminded Americans of the support Canada gave during challenging times, including the Iran hostage crisis, the Afghanistan war, and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the recent California wildfires.
The message by Trudeau, who spoke during a press conference in Ottawa, highlighted the closeness of Canada to the United States and the need for countermeasures given the tariffs.
Justin Trudeau: Shared History and Partnership with the US
Trudeau expressed his frustration over the tariffs, noting the very long-standing relationship of cooperation between the two countries. “From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of the Korean peninsula, from the fields of Flanders to the streets of Kandahar, we have fought and died alongside you during your darkest hours,” he said. “Yes, we’ve had our differences in the past, but we’ve always found a way to get past them. As I’ve said before, if President Trump wants to usher in a new golden age for the United States, the better path is to partner with Canada, not to punish us.”
🚨 JUST IN: Trudeau to Americans—Trump’s trade war isn’t just a Canada problem, it’s your problem.
Higher costs. Supply chain headaches. Pricier food and gas.
And for what? A stunt that violates free trade agreements while pretending to “own” foreign leaders?
The U.S. economy… pic.twitter.com/0daXFurbNI
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) February 2, 2025
While acknowledging past differences between the US and Canada, Trudeau highlighted that the two countries have always managed to overcome them. He urged President Trump to reconsider his stance, adding, “As I’ve said before, if President Trump wants to usher in a new golden age for the United States, the better path is to partner with Canada, not to punish us.”
Canada’s Counter-Tariff Measures
In a decisive move, Canada announced its counteraction, imposing 25% tariffs on US goods worth Can$155 billion (about $106 billion). “Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25 percent tariffs against Can$155 billion worth of American goods,” Trudeau said, signaling the deepening trade rift. Phase one of the tariffs will target Can$30 billion worth of US goods, set to take effect on Tuesday, with additional tariffs of Can$125 billion imposed within three weeks.
Justin Trudeau was clear that Canada was not trying to escalate the situation but stood firm for its interests, such as Canadian jobs. “We’re certainly not looking to escalate. But we will stand up for Canada, for Canadians, for Canadian jobs,” he underlined.
Impact of Tariffs on Both Countries
It will have very serious consequences for Canada, but it will also have serious consequences for the US,” Trudeau warned. He appealed directly to US citizens, stating that the tariffs would put American jobs at risk, especially in auto manufacturing. “Tariffs against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities,” he said.
The Canadian Prime Minister also said that everyday items in the US would see price hikes due to the tariffs, including groceries and fuel. “They will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery store and gas at the pump,” he added.
The tariff measures would target a wide range of American products, including beer, wine, and bourbon, as well as fruits, vegetables, consumer appliances, lumber, plastics, and more. “With much, much more,” Trudeau added, signaling the broad scope of the response.
Trump’s Justification for the Tariffs
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced the tariffs, describing the levies as a measure to protect the US from illegal immigration and the flow of drugs. The tariffs will levied at 25% on export entries coming into Canada and a lower rate of 10% on Canadian energy resources.
Economic Impact on Canada:
The trade war might have a very big impact on the economy. The 9,000-km (5,600-mile) US-Canada border sees over $2.5 billion in trade each day, with most of this coming from the energy and manufacturing sectors. In 2023, Canada exported almost C$550 billion in goods and services to the US, with 30% coming from energy exports and 15% from manufacturing. These exports account for approximately 17.8% of Canada’s GDP and support over 2.4 million Canadian jobs.