Canada drops the gloves, tells U.S. to blame Trump for tariff pain
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Canada's Justin Trudeau skewered President Trump over aggressive tariffs that went into effect Tuesday, claiming they hurt Americans and would be subject to retaliatory measures.
Why it matters: Relations between the two longtime allies are rapidly souring. The Canadian prime minister accused Trump of launching a "trade war" aimed at tanking the economy of its closest friend.
- After much anticipation, the U.S. launched increased tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico. China also took immediate retaliatory steps.
State of play: Canada instituted immediate 25% tariffs on $30 billion of U.S. goods, Trudeau said. An additional $125 billion worth of goods will see 25% tariffs implemented in 21 days.
- "I want to speak first directly to the American people ... your government has chosen to do this to you," Trudeau said. He laid out how profoundly the ensuing trade war would hurt the American economy — noting markets are down and inflation could rise.
- "Your government has chosen to put American jobs at risk at the thousands of workplaces that succeed because of materials from Canada, or because of consumers in Canada, or both," he added.
- "They have chosen to raise costs for American consumers on everyday essential items like groceries and gas, on major purchases like cars and homes and everything in between," Trudeau said.
Zoom in: Trudeau said tariffs would harm U.S. national security by cutting off access to energy sources, critical minerals and other commodities that allow the U.S. to "grow and prosper."
- He dismissed Trump's claims that U.S. tariffs were necessary to ensure border security and prevent fentanyl from coming to the U.S. He noted that drug flow and illegal border crossings occur between Canada and the U.S. are incredibly low.
- Addressing Canadians, Trudeau said he wouldn't "sugarcoat it — this is going to be tough."
- Trudeau told reports Trump wants to "see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because that will make it easier to annex us," referring to Trump's desire to make Canada the U.S.' 51st state.
Between the lines: Trudeau also threw shade at Trump's bid to upend relations with one of its oldest allies while cozying up to one of the West's strongest adversaries, Russia.
- "They're talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin: a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense," Trudeau told reporters.
The other side: Trump hit back at Trudeau's announcement in a Truth Social post Tuesday by threatening to raise tariffs even more.
- "When he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the U.S., our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!" Trump wrote.
Zoom out: Trudeau is far from the only Canadian politician who has been enraged by the U.S.' decision to implement exorbitant tariffs.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said in recent days that he would be willing to cut off his province's exports of electricity and block shipments of high-grade nickel, CBC reported.
- "If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do anything, including cut off their energy — with a smile on my face," Ford said.
- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt have also both lambasted Trump's tariffs, per the Toronto Sun.
Go deeper: Markets slide as Trump confirms tariffs for Canada, Mexico and China on Tuesday
Editor's note: This story has been updated with an additional statement from Trump.
