Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he’s ready to start a trade war with President Trump if the US leader moves forward with 25% tariffs on products from the northern nation at midnight.
Trudeau called America’s impending action against Canada “unjustified” and vowed to not let it go “unanswered.”
“Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow, respond with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time,” he said in a statement.
“Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures.”
Trump told reporters at the White House earlier Monday 25% tariffs would be slapped on products from Canada and Mexico at midnight following a 30-day pause on the action.
He claimed the tariffs were a way to force the two nations to better combat the flow of fentanyl into the US and stop illegal immigration.
Trump, 78, has also said he wants to wipe away the trade imbalance between the US and the other two countries while pushing for more factories to relocate to the US.
Trudeau warned if the tariffs go into effect, Americans would need to cough up more cash for everyday products.
“Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs. Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship,” he said.
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