Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has slammed U.S. President Donald Trump over his tariffs tactics, describing the move as “very dumb.”
He accusing Trump of appeasing Russia while launching a trade war against Canada.
In his final days in office, Trudeau warned Canada would retaliate by imposing tariffs on over $100 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Trudeau says the U.S. started a trade war against its best friend and ally.
Furious Trudeau also called out the U.S. for dealing with Russia and saying Trump is trying to get in good with Vladimir Putin.
American tariffs were imposed on its three biggest trading partners and Mexico, Canada and China all hit back.
Just after midnight, Trump slapped a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada, but capped it at 10% for Canadian energy products.
Speaking directly to the U.S. President, Trudeau who didn’t mince words said despite Trump being smart, the tariffs are stupid.
He spoke directly to the American people, saying Canada never wanted a trade war. And asked if Americans would support cutting off long term allies for a country that harms the global and American economy.
Trudeau wonders if Trump’s real goal is to collapse the Canadian economy and then annex the country. He says that’s not happening.
He noted that “Canada will never be the 51st state”.
In response, Trump posted on Truth Social that any tariffs imposed by Canada would be met with an immediate equivalent increase in U.S. tariffs.
Trump’s response is being seen as an attack on Canadian sovereignty and has Canadians furious.
The trade war has started to affect Canadian culture.
Reports have emerged that the Canadian hockey fans are booing the U.S. national anthem at NHL games.
Trudeau says many Canadians feel betrayed and some are cancelling travel plans and buying Canadian over foreign products.
Premier, of Ontario, Canada’s largest province, Doug Ford has imposed a 25% export tax on electricity sold to the U.S.
Ontario powers 1.5 million homes in Michigan, New York and Minnesota in 2023.
Ford has also vowed to stop the exportation of nickel and rare earth minerals to the U.S.
Provinces have already started pulling American liquor from government run stores.
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario makes nearly CA$1 billion (around $687 million) a year from American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers.