As Canada prepares to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods threatened by US President-elect Donald Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the threat should be taken seriously.
Trump sent shock waves earlier this week when he announced that he intends to sign an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on all products coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico as soon as he takes office.
Trump said the tariffs will remain in place until both countries stop drugs, especially fentanyl, and prevent people from crossing the border illegally.
As uncertainty and concern loom over the potential impact this could have on Canadian industries, Trudeau warned Friday that there is “no doubt” that Trump plans to implement the measure.
“One of the things that’s really important to understand is that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like this, he plans to carry them out,” Trudeau told reporters in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. “There’s no doubt about that.
“Our responsibility is to point out that in this way it would actually not only hurt Canadians who do well with the United States, but it would also raise prices for American citizens and hurt American industry and companies. “
Trudeau reiterated that a “Team Canada approach” will be vital in countering Trump’s tariff threat.
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Two days after Trump’s announcement, Trudeau held a virtual meeting Wednesday with the premiers of provinces and territories to discuss U.S.-Canada relations.
He added: “We will work together to address some concerns and respond to some issues, but in the end, I will have a lot of constructive and real conversations with President Trump that will help us move forward.” “On the right track for all Canadians,” Trudeau said.
Trump’s announcement sparked sharp criticism from political leaders across Canada, and business groups were increasingly concerned.
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday that Trump’s threat should not be taken seriously, but added there was still time to engage with their American counterparts.
“We have to take that seriously, there’s no doubt.”
The bottom line, Champagne said, is “we will stand up for Canada” and its workers.
Immigration Minister Mark Miller said Tuesday that Canada and the United States have “common interests” in making the situation “manageable” at the border.
Regardless of plans further south, Canada is considering “a number of measures” to bolster security at the border, Miller said.
“We are looking at a number of measures which will certainly include additional resources.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said this week that the country needs a plan to “put Canada first” and when asked by a reporter if he was willing to retaliate for Trump’s pledged move, Poilievre replied: “If necessary.”
– With files from The Canadian Press
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