American President Donald Trump said Monday, March 3, that 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods would take effect 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.
Trump said, “No room left for Mexico or for Canada,” during a press conference from the White House on Monday.
Canadian energy imports will be subject to a 10 per cent tariff, as Trump originally promised back at the start of February.
The tariffs were supposed to go into effect Feb. 4, but were deferred after Canadian and Mexican officials lobbied for more time to address the US’s concerns.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Canadians, Americans, and Trump directly on Tuesday morning, with a very stern message.
“Today the United States launched a trade war with Canada, their closest partner and ally; their closest friend. At the same time they are talking positively about working with Russia, appearing Vladimir Putin, a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense.
“We will not back down from a fight, not when our country and the wellbeing of everyone in it is at stake.
“At the moment, the US tariffs came into effect in the early hours of this morning, and so did the Canadian response.
“Canada will be implementing 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion dollars worth of American goods. Starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion in 21 days time.
“We will also be challenging these illegal actions by filing dispute resolution claims at the world trade organization.
“In the meantime our tariffs will remain in place until the US tariffs are withdrawn, and not a moment sooner.”
Trudeau took a minute to address the American people directly, saying “We don’t want this, as a friend, or ally. We don’t want to see you hurt either, but your government has chosen to do this to you.”
He talked about market dips and American jobs at risk and how everyday items will see price raises as a result of the tariffs.
Trudeau then directed his remarks directly to President Trump: “In the over eight years you and I have worked together, we have done big things. We signed a historic deal that created record jobs and growth in both of our countries. We have done big things together on a world stage, as Canada and the US have done together for decades, for generations. And now, we should be working together to ensure even greater prosperity for North Americans in a very uncertain and challenging world.
“It’s not in my habit to agree with the Wall St. Journal, but Donald, they point out that even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do. We two friends fighting is exactly what our opponents around the world want to see.”
Trudeau had a message for Canadians, too, saying, “To my fellow Canadians. I won’t sugar out it, This is going to be tough, even though we are going to all pull together, because that’s what we do.
“But Canada, make no mistake, no matter how long this lasts, no matter what the cost, the federal government and other orders of government will be there for you. We will defend Canadian jobs, we will take measures to prevent predatory behaviour that threatens Canadian companies because of the impacts of this trade war leaving them open to takeovers. We will relentlessly fight to protect our economy and we will stand up for Canadians every single second of every single day, because this country is worth fighting for.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith added her condemnation of the US tariffs as well on Tuesday, saying, “The tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are an unjustifiable economic attack on Canadians and Albertans. They also represent a clear breach of the trade agreement signed by this same U.S. President during his first term. These tariffs will hurt the American people, driving up costs for fuel, food, vehicles, housing and many other products. They will also cost hundreds of thousands of American and Canadian jobs. This policy is both foolish and a failure in every regard.”
She added, “Alberta fully supports the federal response announced today by the Prime Minister. I will be meeting with my cabinet today and tomorrow to discuss Alberta’s response to these illegal tariffs, which we will announce publicly tomorrow.
“Now is the time for us to unite as a province and a country. We must do everything in our collective power to immediately tear down provincial trade barriers and fast-track the construction of dozens of resource projects, from pipelines to LNG facilities to critical minerals projects.
“We must strengthen our trade ties throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas for all our energy, agricultural and manufactured products.
“We also need to drastically increase military spending to ensure we can protect our nation. There is no time to waste on any of these initiatives.”
Federal Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre also addressed the tariffs on Tuesday, urging that Parliament re-open immediately so that a full-bodied plan and federal election can be set in motion.
“President Trump stabbed America’s best friend in the back,” Poilievre declared.
“My message to the President is this: Canada will fight back. We will defend our people and our economy, and we will put Canada first.”
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor