Trudeau hits back at U.S. with big tariffs after Trump launches trade war
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced late Saturday the federal government will hit back against the U.S. after President Donald Trump launched a trade war this weekend with punitive tariffs on all Canadian goods.
Trudeau said Canada won’t stand for an attack from a country that was supposed to be an ally and friend.
Ottawa will immediately levy retaliatory tariffs on a whole host of American goods as payback for Trump’s attempt to wreck the Canadian economy, Trudeau said.
To start, Canada will slap 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods coming into Canada as of Tuesday. The tariffs will then be applied to another $125 billion worth of American imports in three weeks’ time.
“We don’t want to be here, we didn’t ask for this, but we will not back down in standing up for Canadians,” Trudeau said.
The prime minister said American liquor like beer, wine and spirits, vegetables, clothing, shoes and perfume will be among the first items to face Canadian retaliatory tariffs. Canada will also put tariffs on American consumer products such as household appliances, furniture and sports equipment.
Trudeau said there is more non-tariff trade action coming to try to force Trump’s hand and get him to call off the hostilities.
Those actions are still to be decided but could include measures like restrictions on the export of critical minerals and energy products to the U.S. and a move to block American companies from bidding on government contracts, he said.
After announcing Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the coming days will be ‘difficult for Canadians, and they’ll be difficult for Americans.’ Trudeau said Canada will levy a 25 per cent tariff on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on most Canadian goods.
Trudeau urged Canadians to rally around the flag and choose Canadian products wherever possible to support embattled businesses. He asked shoppers to check labels before buying anything at the grocery store. — CBC News
