Justin Trudeau criticized President Trump for initiating what he called a “dumb” trade war against Canada, asserting that his nation “will not back down” in response.
“A fight with Canada will have no winners,” Trudeau declared during a press briefing in Ottawa, where he laid out his government’s plans to counter the extensive tariffs imposed earlier this week.
Trudeau urged Canadians to unite in this moment, emphasizing that Americans would also feel the consequences of the tariffs.
He accused Trump of attempting to destabilize the Canadian economy in a bid to make it easier to absorb Canada into the United States.
“We will never be the 51st state, but he can do damage to the Canadian economy, and he’s started this morning, but he is rapidly going to find out as American families are going to find out, that that’s going to hurt people on both sides of the border.”
Canada ranks as the ninth-largest global economy, with a GDP of $2.3 trillion—roughly the size of New York state’s economy.
Although Trudeau hadn’t yet had a conversation with Trump, he expressed hope that such a discussion would take place soon.
“Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada: their closest partner and ally — their closest friend. Canadians are reasonable, but we will not back down from a fight,” he wrote on X.
In retaliation, Trudeau has already announced tariffs on $20.7 billion worth of American goods, equivalent to 30 billion Canadian dollars.
Trump responded to Trudeau’s comments on Tuesday, warning that he would increase tariffs on Canadian goods if Canada continued with its own retaliatory measures.
“Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the US, our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!” Trump posted on his Truth Social account.
Trudeau reassured that Canadians do not “hate” Americans but described the tariffs as a necessary response to a “policy decision by the American government designed to go after the Canadian economy.”
“I want to speak first directly to the American people. We don’t want this. We want to work with you as a friend and ally. We don’t want to see you hurt either. But your government has chosen to do this to you. As of this morning, markets are down and inflation is set to rise dramatically,” Trudeau told reporters.
Referring to Trump by his first name, “Donald,” Trudeau agreed with an editorial from the Wall Street Journal published that same Monday, adding, “They point out that even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do. We two friends fighting is exactly what our opponents around the world want to see.”
Trudeau encouraged Canadians to buy local products, avoid American goods such as bourbon, and refrain from vacationing in Florida in retaliation.
He also noted that Canadians would likely continue booing the Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events, following a string of incidents at recent hockey games between the two nations.
These remarks were made during what seemed to be Trudeau’s final press conference as prime minister, ahead of his expected departure in the coming days.
Trudeau had spent the weekend in London, showing support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following the dramatic fallout in the Oval Office with Trump on Friday.
Later in the day, Canada’s provincial premiers were expected to give their own statements about the retaliatory actions against U.S. tariffs.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was among the first to announce a retaliatory measure, stating that his province would be canceling its contract with Starlink, the satellite company owned by Elon Musk.
Trump’s tariffs, which were implemented just after midnight on Tuesday, were reportedly triggered by what he claimed were Canada, China, and Mexico’s failures to stop the flow of lethal fentanyl into the U.S. Trudeau dismissed these claims on Tuesday, calling them “completely bogus.”
Mexico is expected to announce its own retaliatory measures against U.S. goods by Sunday, with President Claudia Sheinbaum voicing her objection to the U.S. decision on Tuesday.
“There is no motive or reason, nor justification that supports this decision that will affect our people and our nations,” she stated.
Pierre Poillevre, leader of the Conservative Party and Trudeau’s likely successor, also issued a sharp criticism of Trump on Tuesday.
“At 12:01 a.m., President Trump stabbed America’s best friend in the back. My message to the president is this — Canada will fight back,” Poillevre declared in a statement.
{Matzav.com}