REGINA - There has been a swift response to President Donald Trump's imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on Canada.
"Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada: their closest partner and ally — their closest friend. Canadians are reasonable, but we will not back down from a fight. Not when our country is at stake," was the post from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the X platform.
Those comments echoed those Trudeau made in a media conference Tuesday morning, in which Trudeau added: "At the same time, they're talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin - a lying murderous dictator. Make that makes sense."
Trudeau announced that Canada's counter-tariffs on $155 billion of American goods was now in effect, with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately and the remaining amount in 21 days.
There has been a swift reaction from Trump on Trump Social, with President Trump posting the following: "Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the U.S., our Reciprocal Tariff will increase by a like amount!"
In his remarks Tuesday morning and in his statement Monday night, Trudeau made clear "there is no justification for these actions." He pointed to President Trump's contention that the tariffs were in response to fentanyl coming across the border.
“While less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada, we have worked relentlessly to address this scourge that affects Canadians and Americans alike. We implemented a $1.3 billion border plan with new choppers, boots on the ground, more co-ordination, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. We appointed a Fentanyl Czar, listed transnational criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, launched the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell, and are establishing a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force on organized crime. Because of this work – in partnership with the United States – fentanyl seizures from Canada have dropped 97 per cent between December 2024 and January 2025 to a near-zero low of 0.03 pounds seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection," said Trudeau in a statement Monday.
In his address Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre denounced Trump's tariffs, calling for a Canada-first response.
"At 12:01 a.m., President Trump stabbed America's best friend in the back. My message to the President is this: Canada will fight back. We will defend our people, and our economy, and we will put Canada first."
In his statement Poilievre called for retaliatory measures by targeting American goods in the order of goods Canada can make themselves, goods they don't need and those they can get from elsewhere. He said "almost every penny of the tariffs collected should go to tax relief, with a sum set aside for targeted relief to workers hit hardest by the trade war." And he called to immediately pass a Bring It Home Tax Cut, lowering taxes on work, investment, energy and homebuilding.
"This will neutralize the effect of the tariffs and unleash massive investment in making our economy self-reliant. The obvious place to start is by axing the Liberal carbon tax, then axing the sales tax on new homes, then axing the Liberal capital gains tax hike and slashing income tax, so hard work again pays off."
Poilievre also called for the repeal of the "Liberal No-Pipelines Law." He also called for unleashing a homebuilding boom, knocking down provincial trade barriers and securing the border and rebuilding the military.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh had this to say on X:
"This morning, Canadians have woken up to an unprecedented Trade War waged on us by a hostile President. In this moment, we must be united. To protect Canadian workers and jobs, New Democrats are calling for an emergency recall of Parliament."
Provincial premiers are also weighing in, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford announcing that province's first round of retaliatory measures.
Ford said the LCBO would begin removing American products on their shelves, and American brands would no longer be available in their catalogue. Also, all US-based companies will be banned from government procurement, and he ordered all 440 municipalities to do the same. Ford said he is ripping up their contract with Elon Musk's Starlink. "that's done, it's gone," Ford said.
Ford also said Ontario needs to be ready to escalate "using every tool in our tool kit," saying that if tariffs persist they will immediately apply a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity. "We will not hesitate to shut off the power as well," he said.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston issued a post on social media announcing his own province's retaliatory measures. Those include immediately limiting access to provincial procurement for American businesses, seeking options to cancel existing contracts and reject outright bids until President Trump removes tariffs, doubling the cost of tolls at the Cobequid Pass for commercial vehicles from the United States, and directing the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation to remove all alcohol from the United States from their shelves, effective today.
"We know this was an effective response the first time and hurt American producers who rely on Canadian markets. We will also take any step we can to support Nova Scotians through this incredibly difficult time," posted Houston.
On social media Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the tariffs imposed by Trump "an unjustifiable economic attack on Canadians and Albertans."
"This is not the way it should be between two of the world’s strongest trading allies and partners. We would much rather be working with the U.S. on mutually beneficial trade deals than be caught in the middle of a tariff war. Alberta fully supports the Federal response announced today by the Prime Minister. I will be meeting with my Cabinet today and tomorrow to discuss Alberta’s response to these illegal tariffs, which we will announce publicly tomorrow."
More to come...
