Canada ready to punch back if Trump imposes tariffs on imports
Photo: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Getty Images)
Canada is prepared to respond with countermeasures if US President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian goods. The American leader wants to do this on February 1, stated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, according to Politico.
Trudeau said Canada could help Trump fulfill his promise of a new “golden age” for America. However, he warned that if the US President imposes tariffs on Canadian goods, Ottawa will retaliate.
"We know that if the United States is going to see an increase in jobs, manufacturing and economic growth, they’re going to require more energy, more inputs, everything from lumber and concrete to steel and aluminum to critical minerals that are the essential ingredients in the economy of the future,” Trudeau said.
He pointed out that Canada supplies many essential resources critical to the growth and prosperity of the US economy.
Trudeau emphasized that Trump is a skillful negotiator who likes to keep his partners off balance.
“We’ve been here before. During President Trump’s first term in office, he announced challenges to our trading relationship that we were able to work through," the Canadian Prime Minister said.
Trump plans to impose tariffs on Canadian imports
US President Donald Trump wants to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods to pressure Canada into strengthening border controls to curb the flow of illegal migrants and stop fentanyl smuggling. However, this move violates the free trade agreement.
Canada has already announced a nearly $1 billion plan to enhance border security. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that less than 1% of illegal migrants and fentanyl enter the US via the Canadian border.
Earlier, Canada said it was ready to buy more American goods to avoid the introduction of tariffs.
Read more about what Trump’s new trade wars mean for Ukraine and the world in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
