Ottawa, February 2. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that his country will impose a 25% duty on many American imports in retaliation against President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. He warned the Americans that Trump’s decisions will have serious consequences for them.
Amid the deterioration in relations between the old allies who share the world’s longest land border, Trudeau said that he is imposing tariffs on American goods worth 155 billion Canadian dollars (107 billion US dollars).
According to media reports, the Canadian PM said that tariffs on US products worth 30 billion Canadian dollars will come into effect from Tuesday [the same day Trump’s tariffs will also take effect], and US products worth 125 billion Canadian dollars will be charged in 21 days.
Trudeau’s announcement came just hours after Trump ordered a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on goods imported from China. However, only a 10% tariff will be imposed on Canadian energy resources.
The US president’s decision threatens to spark a trade war, which economists say could slow global growth and send inflation soaring again.
The Canadian leader said the tariffs would include American beer, wine, and bourbon as well as fruit and fruit juices. It will also include orange juice from Trump’s home state of Florida. Canada will target goods including clothing, sports equipment, and household appliances.
Trudeau said the coming weeks will be tough for Canadians, but Trump’s actions will also harm Americans.
Trudeau encouraged Canadians to buy Canadian products and vacation in their country instead of the US. He said, “We didn’t ask for it, but we won’t back down.”
“Tariffs against Canada would put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing centers. They would raise inflation, including the cost of food at the grocery store and fuel at the pump,” Trudeau said while addressing American citizens during a press conference in Ottawa.
