Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned his United States counterpart, Donald Trump, on Tuesday that he is prepared to respond “with everything” to his 25% tariffs that the new president is considering implementing as of February 1. .
Trudeau stated in a press conference that “if the president decides to proceed with tariffs on Canadian products, Canada will respond and everything is on the table.”
In addition, the prime minister added that “if they apply tariffs,” they will respond “in a robust, rapid and measured manner to protect Canadian companies and sectors.”
Trudeau concluded a two-day meeting with his cabinet on Tuesday to analyze Trump’s rise to power and the first measures taken by the American president hours after his inauguration ceremony.
Although the new US Administration initially indicated that it would study its trade relations starting in April before imposing tariffs, on Monday night Trump declared that he was thinking of imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
Trudeau explained Trump’s swings in less than 24 hours as a negotiating tactic that Canada already suffered during his first Presidency between 2017 and 2021.
“Trump has always been an expert negotiator and will do what he can to keep his partners a little off balance,” he explained.
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Trudeau stressed that the US depends on raw materials, oil, gas and electricity from Canada
The Canadian prime minister indicated at several points during the press conference that he trusts that the facts of the bilateral relationship will prevail over Trump’s impulses.
Trudeau noted that the United States depends on raw materials, as well as oil, gas and electricity from Canada.
“This is what Canada provides, affordably, safely and reliably,” he said. Likewise, he explained that “the alternative they have is more resources from Russia, China or Venezuela. “Canada is a safe and reliable partner in an uncertain world.”
Canada and the United States, along with Mexico, have maintained a free trade agreement valued at hundreds of billions of dollars a year for decades.
In 2023, trade between Canada and the US will reach 1.3 trillion Canadian dollars (nearly 1 trillion US dollars), representing daily bilateral trade worth 3.5 billion Canadian dollars in goods and services.
Canada suffers from a great commercial dependence on the US since 77% of all Canadian exports are destined for its partner and neighbor.
The review of the current North American free trade agreement, known as T-MEC, is scheduled for 2026.
Canadian analysts have pointed out that as in the renegotiation of the agreement between 2017 and 2018, Trump’s threats may be a tactic to obtain concessions from Canada and Mexico for 2026.
With information from EFE.
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