OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the U.S. has launched a continental trade war and Canada is fighting back.
Speaking directly to U.S. President Donald Trump, Trudeau says enacting the tariffs "is a very dumb thing to do."
Canada is immediately imposing 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of American products, and will expand that to cover another $125 billion in U.S. goods in 21 days.
Trudeau also says that Canada will file claims with the World Trade Organization and through the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement.
Trudeau says that the federal government will be there to support Canadians "no matter the cost," including with enhancements to employment insurance and measures to protect businesses from potential "predatory" takeovers.
While Trump's order imposing the tariffs references national security concerns about drugs and illegal immigration at the Canadian border, in a post today on Truth Social he says that if companies move to the U.S. there will be no tariffs.
"Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada ... At the same time, they're talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense."
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 4, 2025
Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau announces his response to U.S.… pic.twitter.com/pgnMbJNSsf
"It's not in my habit to agree with the Wall Street Journal—But Donald, they point out that even though you're a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do," says PM Trudeau, addressing President Trump after U.S. decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) March 4, 2025
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"We will relentlessly fight to protect our economy. We will stand up for Canadians every single second of every single day—because this country is worth fighting for," says PM Trudeau at a news conference in Ottawa as he outlines the federal response to U.S. tariffs.
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) March 4, 2025
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Canadian PM Trudeau says Canadians will continue to boo U.S. anthem over Trump tariffs.
— ABC News (@ABC) March 4, 2025
“But let me tell Americans — we’re not booing you. We’re not booing your teams, we’re not booing your players. We’re booing a policy that is designed to hurt us.” https://t.co/MzhEdJOxEi pic.twitter.com/tWsolMN2Bj