Trudeau warns Trump about possible consequences of tariffs

• Trudeau Warns About Trump’s Tariffs.
• Canada Will Respond «With Everything» to Measures.
• Trade Between Canada and the U.S. Reaches $1.3 Trillion.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, this Tuesday that he is prepared to respond «with everything» to the 25% tariffs the new president is considering implementing starting February 1st.

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.»

At another point, the Canadian Prime Minister added: «If they apply the tariffs, we will respond in a robust, rapid, and measured manner to protect Canadian businesses and sectors.»

Trudeau concluded a two-day cabinet meeting this Tuesday to analyze Trump’s rise to power and the first measures adopted by the U.S. president hours after his inauguration ceremony.

Trump Reconsiders Tariffs While Trudeau Analyzes Negotiating Tactics

Although initially the new US administration indicated it would study its trade relations starting in April before imposing tariffs, on Monday night Trump declared he was considering imposing a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico.

Trudeau explained Trump’s fluctuations within less than 24 hours as a negotiating tactic that Canada already experienced during his first presidency from 2017 to 2021.

«Trump has always been an expert negotiator and will do whatever he can to keep his partners a little off balance,» he explained.

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pointed out several times during the press conference that he trusts the facts of the bilateral relationship will prevail over Donald Trump’s impulses.

Trudeau emphasized that the United States depends on raw materials as well as oil, gas, and electricity from Canada.

«This is what Canada provides, affordably, securely, and reliably,» he said, adding shortly after that «the alternative they have is more resources from Russia, China, or Venezuela. Canada is a safe and reliable partner in an uncertain world.»

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Canada and the United States, along with Mexico, have maintained a free trade agreement for decades, valued at hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

In 2023, trade between Canada and the US reached 1.3 trillion Canadian dollars (almost 1 trillion U.S. dollars), representing a daily bilateral trade value of 3.5 billion Canadian dollars in goods and services.

Canada suffers from a significant trade dependency on the US since 77% of all Canadian exports are destined for its neighbor and partner.

A review of the current North American free trade agreement, known as USMCA, is scheduled for 2026.

Canadian analysts have noted that, as in the renegotiation of the agreement between 2017 and 2018, Trump’s threats may be a tactic to gain concessions from Canada and Mexico for 2026.

SOURCE: EFE, HolaNews.

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