Washington – Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announced on Saturday night that his country would respond to the decision of President Donald Trump to promulgate a 25% tariff on Canadian exports to the US 25% against $ 155 billion in American goods.
Trudeau did not specify whether $ 155 billion in American goods were worth products in Canadian or American dollars. $ 155 billion in Canadian dollars would be approximately $ 106 billion in US dollars.
Trudeau’s comments occurred only a few hours after Trump signed an executive order that implemented tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China. Trump’s order implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, excluding Canadian energy products, which would face a 10% rate. It also implemented an additional 10% rate on China imports.
Trudeau said during the Press Conference on Saturday night that tariffs on US goods include “immediate tariffs in products worth $ 30 billion until Tuesday,” the day when the United States will begin to collect tariffs on Canadian goods . He said that the rest of the tariffs will come in about three weeks “to allow Canadian companies and supply chains to find alternatives.”
“Like American tariff Trudeau said. “It will include important consumer products such as appliances, furniture and sports equipment, and materials such as wood and plastics, along with much, much more.”
Trudeau emphasized the long history of the United States and Canada alliance and argued that “if President Trump wants to introduce a new ‘golden age’ for the United States, the best way is to associate with Canada, not punish us.”
The prime minister addressed the Americans directly, saying that Trump’s measure “will have real consequences for you, the American people.”
He also encouraged Canadians to think about ways of “doing their part”, such as opting for Canadian manufacturing products about products made by the United States in stores and changing summer holiday plans to stay in Canada.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comments on Trudeau’s announcement.
Canada may not be alone to promulgate reciprocal tariffs. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum said in Spanish in a position to X that told her secretary of the economy “to implement Plan B in which we have been working, which includes tariff and non -tariff measures in defense of the interests of Mexico” .
Sheinbaum also criticized the tariffs, saying in the position to X: “We categorically reject the slander of the White House Government, claiming alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention to interfere in our territory.”
“Mexico not only does not want fentanil to reach the United States, but does not want it to come anywhere,” he added in Spanish.
“Therefore, if the United States wants to fight criminal groups that drug trafficking and generating violence, we must work together in an integral way, but always under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration and, above all, respect for sovereignty , which is not negotiable, “he added. “Coordination, yes; subordination, no.”
The China Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that China would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization “and take the necessary countermeasures to sign their rights and interest firmly.”
“China asks the United States to correct their mistakes, work towards mutual understanding, participate in a sincere dialogue, strengthen cooperation and manage differences based on equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect,” the statement.
Neither the Chinese embassy in the United States nor the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded immediately to comments requests on Saturday night.
The spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of China, MAO NO, said during an informative press session earlier this week that “China has provided support to the United States response to the problem of fentanyl in the spirit of humanity and the Goodwill, and has performed antographic cooperation with the side of the United States in a wide base and deep path. “
“The achievements we have achieved are there for everyone to see,” Mao continued, according to the transcription of the Chinese government. “We hope that the United States will work to continue the positive dynamics won with effort in the cooperation of Countercotics.”
Tit -for Tat tariff ads of international leaders could rock consumers’ prices both in the US.
In a publication to Truth Social, Trump attributed his movement to “the main threat of illegal foreigners and mortal drugs that kill our citizens, including fentanyl.”
The vast majority of fentanyl seized by customs and border protection of the United States has occurred along the southern border, not on the northern border, according to a public board of the federal agency.
China, Mexico and Canada are the three main import suppliers to the United States, according to the Office of the United States Commercial Representative. Mexico and Canada are allies of the United States and have had constant economic relations with the United States.
Trump’s executive order occurred after he promised in November issuing tariffs on goods from the three countries. During his campaign, Trump said he would impose a general rate of up to 20% in imports of other nations and establish at least one 60% tariff in Chinese products.
Trump imposed tariffs on China during his first term, which turned out that the two countries add retaliation tariffs on each other in what was called a “commercial war”. Experts have warned that another series of tariffs could undertake beyond the economy, which can affect national security and health initiatives between the two countries.