Ottawa, Nov 30 (IANS) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has urged Canadians to take US President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats seriously, emphasizing the potential harm to both Canadian and American economies.
Key Highlights
Trump's Intentions:
Trudeau, speaking during a visit to Prince Edward Island, stressed that Trump intends to follow through on his tariff proposals.
"When he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There's no question about it, " Trudeau said, according to Xinhua news agency.
Economic Impact:
Trudeau warned that the proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods would not only harm Canadian exporters but also increase prices for American consumers and damage US industries reliant on Canadian imports.
Coordinated Effort:
On Wednesday night, Trudeau held a virtual meeting with Canada’s 13 provincial premiers to discuss a unified response.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland urged the premiers to leverage their networks in the US to advocate for Canadian interests.
The leaders agreed to work closely to emphasize the importance of the deep economic ties between Canada and the US, which support prosperity on both sides of the border.
Trade Statistics:
In the first nine months of this year, Canada exported over $300 billion in goods to the US, highlighting the critical importance of the trade relationship, according to Statistics Canada.
Trump's Tariff Pledge
Trump reiterated on Monday his plan to impose tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico immediately upon taking office. He stated that the tariffs would remain until both countries take stronger action to combat illegal drugs and unauthorized immigration into the US.
Trudeau’s government is now working on diplomatic and strategic measures to mitigate the potential impact of these tariffs and protect Canada’s economic interests.