Canada Hits Back: Trudeau Slams Trump’s Tariffs and Fires Retaliation
Justin Trudeau has fired a sharp response after Donald Trump slapped 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. The Canadian PM didn’t mince his words at a press briefing, blasting Trump’s move as “a very dumb thing to do” – despite calling him a “very smart guy.”
Canada Strikes With Matching Tariffs Worth Billions
Trudeau revealed Canada’s plan to hit back hard, imposing 25% tariffs on $30 billion (£23.6 billion) worth of US goods immediately, with an extra $125 billion (£98.4 billion) scheduled by March 25. He made it clear Canada won’t back down:
“Canadians are reasonable, and we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight.”
On top of tariffs, Canada is launching a legal challenge via the World Trade Organization (WTO), arguing the US move breaks their trade agreement.
Trump Threatens Bigger Tariffs, Escalating the Trade War
Trump fired back on Truth Social, warning Governor Trudeau that US tariffs will rise if Canada retaliates further:
“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!”
The new tariffs hit not just Canada but also Mexico and China. The US slapped 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and doubled tariffs on Chinese goods from 10% to 20%. A White House statement defended the moves, citing concerns over illegal drugs and cartel activity.
Global Trade Firestorm: China Fights Back Too
China has fought back with tariffs of its own. It imposed:
- 15% tariffs on US chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton
- 10% tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruit, vegetables, and dairy
Plus, Beijing added 10 US firms to its “unreliable entity” list, banning them from China-related trade and investments.
What’s at Stake?
Traders warn these tangled tariffs cover over 40% of US imports and could spark inflation by hiking consumer prices. Key goods affected include fresh produce, cars, electronics, and crude oil (which faces a slightly lower 10% tariff). The escalating skirmish threatens global supply chains and leaves the outlook uncertain as diplomatic talks loom.
