The Prime Minister asserts that the U.S.’s 25% tariffs on Canadian products are unwarranted.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canada as completely unjustified.
The 25% tariffs on Canadian goods and 10% tariffs on Canadian energy, enacted by the U.S., went into effect on Tuesday after a month’s postponement.
Trump has previously accused Ottawa of unfair trade practices, even suggesting Canada would be better off as the “51st state” of the United States.
“We don’t want this. We want to work with you as a friend and ally, and we don’t want to see you hurt either, but your government has chosen to do this to you,” Trudeau stated in a televised address.
“They have chosen to launch a trade war that will, first and foremost, harm American families.”
“Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions,” the Prime Minister insisted, adding that Canada had “worked relentlessly” to decrease fentanyl shipments across the border. He noted that seizures of the drug from Canada had decreased by 97% between December 2024 and January 2025.
Trudeau concluded his speech by referencing a recent Wall Street Journal editorial that labeled Trump’s tariffs as “the dumbest in history.”
“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,” Trudeau remarked. The Prime Minister affirmed that Canada would retaliate with 25% tariffs on American goods.
Trump responded to Trudeau’s statements on Tuesday by derisively calling him the “governor.”
“Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the US, our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!” he posted on his Truth Social platform.