Justin Trudeau argues that the purpose of the “silly” trade war launched by Donald Trump will guide the “complete collapse” of the Canadian economy and facilitate the United States to annex the Canada.
Hours after the US slapped 25% tax on Canadian and Mexican goods, 10% collection on Canadian energy exports – the prime minister announced retaliatory tariffs on US exports, saying his country will continue to resist aggression.
“We were in a tough place before, but we not only survived, but we’ve become stronger than ever, because when it comes to protecting our great nation, there’s no price we’re not going to pay, and it’s no different today,” he said.
Trudeau, who will step down as prime minister after the ruling Liberal Party chose a new leader on Sunday, said nausea between allies is “what opponents around the world want to see.”
“Today, the US has launched a trade war with Canada,” he said. At the same time, the Trump administration was “talking about working with Russia, easing Vladimir Putin and working with the murderous dictator.”
Trudeau has also rejected Trump’s repeated provocation that Canada should surrender its sovereignty and join us. “It never happens. We will never become the 51st state.”
Canada’s retaliatory response includes matching tariffs on US goods worth $155 billion (US$107 billion). The initial tranche of taxes will apply to $300 billion worth of goods, with the remaining $125 billion starting within 21 days, giving Canadian companies the opportunity to revise their supply chain.
At one point, Trudeau oversaw his comments to US voters, saying: But your government has chosen to do this to you. As of this morning, the market is declining and inflation is set to rise dramatically across your country. Your government has chosen to put American employment at risk in materials from Canada and thousands of successful workplaces for Canadian consumers. ”
He said: “Americans will lose their jobs. Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, cars and homes.”
Speaking directly to Trump, Trudeau said: “You’re a very clever guy, but this is very stupid.”
Trump argues that tariffs are a response to Canada’s failure to stop smuggling into the US. Although some drugs are crossing the border, in both directions, few fentanyl enter the US from Canada, so the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) didn’t even mention the country in its 2020 report.
Posting on social media, Trump later raised the prospect of further escalation, with warning that retaliatory taxation by Canada would encourage further action from the US.
Trump’s offensive tactics spur the wonders of patriotism and brings together local leaders across the political spectrum.
Doug Ford, Canada’s most economically powerful province leader, said his government “makes Americans feel pain.”
Ford, who recently won reelection on a pledge to fight US taxes, says that if US tariffs on Canadian goods “sustain,” he will impose a 25% export tax on electricity IT that supplies three US states.
Ontario also pulled all American spirit and wine off the shelf, banning American companies from bidding on procurement contracts, and torn business deals with Elon Musk’s Starlink Company.
Citing his close ties with the US governor, Ford said he felt Canada’s response was “bad,” but that a move is needed to send a strong message to the White House.
“The stock market will go downhill faster than the American bobsled team,” he said. “When the market drops, it is the people people are talking about, and this is no shame.
“Every country knows very well that everyone is vulnerable to trade wars if the US government is willing to do this to their own closest neighbors, allies and friends.”
How long will tariffs last and if they increase, the impact on the Canadian economy is devastating.
Quebec Prime Minister François Legault warned on Tuesday that his province could lose up to 160,000 jobs in the coming months.
“We must be able to make Trump pay for decisions that don’t make sense, even Americans,” he said in an interview with Radio Canada.
Nova Scotia Prime Minister Tim Houston called Trump a “myopic man” who “wields his strength just for that.”
In a statement shortly after the tariffs came into effect, Houston said it was “impossible to properly explain the uncertainty and confusion” that the trade war had been causing Canadians.
In neighbouring Newfoundland and Labrador, state liquor store staff were ordered to pull all American products.
“Now, more than ever, we need to support local and Canadian-made products as much as possible,” originating Prime Minister Andrew Furey said in the release.
Alberta’s right-wing populist prime minister, Daniel Smith, previously resisted calls to cut oil exports to the United States, calling Trump’s actions a “unfair economic attack on Canadians and Albertans,” calling him “silly and failed in every respect.”
