Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not hold back on Tuesday, calling U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs on Canadian imports “a very dumb thing to do.” In response, Trudeau announced that Canada is hitting back with immediate 25% tariffs on C$30 billion worth of U.S. goods, with the potential for further measures in the coming weeks.
“There is absolutely no justification or need whatsoever for these tariffs today,” Trudeau said in a press conference. He vowed that Canada would challenge the U.S. decision through the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).
Trump defended his decision, claiming Canada had not done enough to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.—an accusation Trudeau dismissed as “completely bogus, completely unjustified, completely false.”
With 75% of Canadian exports going to the U.S., economists warn that the tariffs could push Canada into a recession if not lifted quickly. However, they also say the U.S. economy will suffer due to the deep economic ties between the two nations.
As tensions rise, Canadian provinces Quebec and Ontario have started removing U.S. alcoholic products from government-run liquor stores, while Canadian sports fans have begun booing American teams.
“We’re going to choose to buy Canadian products and forgo bourbon and other classic American goods,” Trudeau said. “And yes, we’re probably going to keep booing the American anthem. But let me tell Americans—we’re not booing you, your teams, or your players. We’re booing a policy that is designed to hurt us. And we’re insulted, we’re angry… but we’re going to fight, and we’re going to win.”
The escalating trade war now threatens to damage relations between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, setting the stage for one of the most significant economic disputes in recent history.
