Canadian political leaders are taking a stand against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to impose a 25-per cent tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico, once he is sworn into office in January.
On Monday evening, Trump announced the news in a post on his Truth Social site.
“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States,” he wrote on the platform.
Trump said this is tied to how thousands of people are “pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing crime and drugs at levels never seen before.” He says the tariff will remain in effect until both countries stop drugs, particularly fentanyl, and illegal immigrants from entering the U.S.
Furthermore, the president-elect also plans to charge China an additional 10 per cent tariff on all its products coming into the United States.
According to the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), a tariff is defined as a fee on goods and services being imported into a country. Tariffs are usually imposed and collected by a country’s customs authority or agency.
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The move prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to speak with Trump Monday night, according to media reports. A senior government official described the discussion as “good” as it focussed on the call trade and border security. The conversation ended with both men promising to stay in touch.
On Monday night, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc released a joint statement addressing the pledge, putting an emphasis on the strong relationship between Canada and the United States.
“Our relationship today is balanced and mutually beneficial, particularly for American workers. Today, Canada buys more from the United States than China, Japan, France and the UK combined,” the statement reads in part.
Their statement adds that Canada is essential to America’s domestic energy supply and last year 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports even originated in Canada.
“Law enforcement agencies from our respective countries – the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection – work together every single day to disrupt the scourge of the fentanyl coming from China and other countries,” the statement continued.
“In addition, the CBSA is continuously strengthening its ability to detect opioids through enhanced inspections at ports of entry, detector dogs, and emerging technologies, preventing opioids from entering and leaving Canada,” it added.
The pair ended the statement by saying it will continue to discuss these issues with the administration.
REACTIONS FROM PREMIERS
Trump’s announcement prompted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call on Trudeau to initiate an urgent emergency meeting with all premiers to create an approach, as the 25 per cent tariff would be “devastating to workers and jobs” in both countries.
A senior official says Trudeau also called Ford and Quebec Premier François Legault to discuss the matter Monday night, based on reports by CTV Toronto.
“This promise by President-elect Donald Trump poses an enormous risk to the Quebec and Canadian economies. We must do everything possible to avoid 25 per cent tariffs on all products exported to the United States,” Legault said in a statement on X.
Meanwhile, British Columbia Premier David Eby shared on X that “Trump’s tariffs would hurt Canadians and Americans alike.”
“Canadians must stand united. Ottawa must respond with strength,” he wrote in a statement.
In addition, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged that the incoming Trump administration has valid concerns when it comes to illegal activities at the border.
She notes that the vast majority of Alberta’s energy exports to the U.S. are delivered through secure and safe pipelines which do not contribute to any illegal activities at the border.
“We are calling on the federal government to work with the incoming administration to resolve these issues immediately, thereby avoiding any unnecessary tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S,” Smith’s statement reads.
Trudeau is set to hold an emergency meeting with Canada’s premiers virtually Wednesday at 5 p.m.
