“Canada will be responding to the U.S. trade action with 25% tariffs against Can$155 billion ($106 billion) worth of American goods,” he said in a dramatic tone as he warned of a fracture in longstanding Canada-U.S. ties.
The first round of tariffs would target Can$30 billion worth of U.S. goods on Tuesday followed by further tariffs on Can$125 billion worth of products in three weeks.
“We’re certainly not looking to escalate. But we will stand up for Canada, for Canadians, for Canadian jobs,” Trudeau said.
Canada will hit back at U.S. tariffs with 25% levies of its own on select American goods, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday.
“Canada will be responding to the U.S. trade action with 25 percent tariffs against Can$155 billion ($106 billion) worth of American goods,” he said in a dramatic tone as he warned of a fracture in longstanding Canada-U.S. ties.
The first round of tariffs would target Can$30 billion worth of U.S. goods on Tuesday followed by further tariffs on Can$125 billion worth of products in three weeks.
“We’re certainly not looking to escalate. But we will stand up for Canada, for Canadians, for Canadian jobs,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau said the trade conflict will have “real consequences” for Canadians but also for Americans, including job losses, higher costs for food and gasoline, potential shutdowns of auto assembly plants, and impeded access to Canadian nickel, potash, uranium, steel and aluminum.
He offered a reminder that Canada has been at the U.S.’s side in its “darkest hours” from the Iran hostage crisis and war in Afghanistan, to deadly natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the recent California wildfires.
“We’re always there, standing with you,” Trudeau said.
“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.”
“Unfortunately, the actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.”
Earlier, Trudeau consulted with provincial premiers, who each said afterward that they would take additional measures such as taking U.S. booze off local store shelves and seeking to immediately diversify their trade relationships.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the U.S. tariffs a “mutually destructive policy” that will “strain the important relationship and alliance between our two nations.”
British Columbia Premier David Eby went further in calling the U.S. tariffs “a complete betrayal of the historic bond between our countries.”
“It’s a declaration of economic war against a trusted ally and friend,” he said, warning that damage to the relationship will be lasting.
“We will never again allow ourselves to be beholden to the whims of one person in the White House,” he said.
Meanwhile, at an NHL hockey game between the Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild, in Ottawa, a sold out crowd booed the singing of the U.S. national anthem at the start of play.
