Justin Trudeau says Canada won’t end tariffs unless all US tariffs are lifted

Canada announced it would not end its reciprocal tariffs against the United States unless the state lifted its tariffs. Donald Trump launched his tariffs against Mexico and Canada on Tuesday, drawing reiteration from the nations. 

Canada’s Prime minister said his government would not end its tariffs against the United States after Trump implemented his trade tariffs against Canada and Mexico. Trump also doubled the tariffs against China to 20 per cent. 

Canada says it will not withdraw its tariffs against the United States

Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, announced that the Canadian government would not back down from the trade war. He said the United States president, Donald Trump, waged a trade war against Canada on Tuesday. 

The prime minister highlighted that Canada was among the United States’s closest allies. He reprimanded the United States’ stance on Russia, saying that the government planned to appease Vladimir Putin. He said that Trump’s tariffs took effect in the early morning hours and noted that Canada’s reciprocal tariffs had also taken effect. 

Trudeau said Trump’s tariffs put the country’s and its citizens’ well-being at stake. He added that Canada would implement 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of US-imported goods. The prime minister highlighted that tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods would take effect immediately. He added that the tariffs on the remaining $125 billion worth of American products would take effect in 21 days. 

Trudeau said the tariffs against the United States would remain in place until the Washington-imposed tariffs were withdrawn. He added that if the tariffs did not cease, the Canadian government would actively negotiate with provinces to explore non-tariff measures. He warned that the non-tariff measures would prove there were no winners in a trade war. 

Mexico’s and Canada’s government officials respond to the tariffs 

Canadian Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc and Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, also commented on the tariffs. They announced that in response to the US-imposed tariffs, the Canadian government would also reciprocate them. The ministers added that the Canadian tariffs’ scope could increase should the US impose new tariffs.

The products listed in the Canadian tariffs against the US in the first phase include peanut butter, wine, spirits, coffee, apparel, motorcycles, and paper products. The second phase will apply to goods worth above $125 billion. These include electronics, aluminum, beef, pork, and buses. 

The Canadian government revealed it was taking measures to mitigate the potential effects of the reciprocal tariffs. It added that it established a remission process to consider requests for exceptional relief from the Canadian imposed tariffs.

Leblanc said that the tariffs needlessly and unfairly targeted Canada. He added that the United States’ decision left them with no choice but to respond to protect Canadian interests. The minister highlighted that they were working with territorial and industry partners to get the tariffs removed as quickly as possible. 

Beijing also responded to the U.S. tariffs and imposed 15% tariffs on U.S. farm exports. The state expanded the number of US companies subject to export controls by over 50%.

Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico would also respond to the new tariffs with its reciprocal tariffs. Sheinbaum revealed she would announce the U.S.-targeted products on Sunday at a public event in Mexico City. 

Trump argued that open trade costs United States citizens factory jobs and leads to the country’s exploitation. He insisted the tariffs were the path to the nation’s prosperity. Trump said the tariffs were meant to motivate the two nations to curb immigration and fentanyl trafficking into the United States. The president said the countries failed to effectively curb the vices, leading to the tariffs’ implementation after a month-long delay. 

US markets declined on Monday after Trump announced that there was no more room left for negotiations with Mexico and Canada.  Trump responded to the market reaction by saying the market disturbance was expected and “okay”.