Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on the United States, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canadian imports.
The prime minister responded to the tariffs in an Ottawa press conference on Tuesday.
“Canadians are reasonable. We are polite. But we will not back down from a fight,” he emphasized.
The Trump administration’s imposition of 25 per cent tariffs, which came into effect today, will affect a range of Canadian goods, including steel, aluminium, and various agricultural products. Additionally, the U.S. applied 10 per cent levies to Canadian energy. These tariffs, which were unveiled under the guise of national security concerns, have been a point of contention between the two nations since December 2024.
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In a statement released Monday night, the prime minister called the tariffs “unjustified” and assured that Canada had done their part to address Trump’s border concerns.
“While less than one 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,” Trudeau said in the statement.
The prime minister said the federal government implemented an “ambitious” $1.3 billion border plan to reduce the flow of illicit drugs and organized crime, a move that has resulted in fentanyl seizures dropping by 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.
The moment U.S. tariffs came into effect this morning, so did the Canadian response.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 4, 2025
Canada will be implementing 25% tariffs against $155 billion of American products.
Starting with $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and the remaining $125 billion in 21 days’ time.
In response to Trump’s tariffs, Trudeau announced 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs starting Tuesday against $155 billion worth of American imports, including products like industrial machinery, food products, and consumer goods. The tariffs would hit $30 billion worth of goods immediately, while the remaining $125 billion would take effect within the following 21 days.
“Because of the tariffs imposed by the U.S., Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs. Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau urged the Trump administration to reconsider its decision, and assured that Canada is willing to take greater measures to protect its people, one that will “demonstrate that there are no winners in a trade war.”
“Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures,” the statement read.
“While we urge the U.S. administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers, and for a fair deal.”
Trudeau also quoted the Wall Street Journal and addressed Trump by saying, “Donald, even though you’re a smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do.”
Canadian leaders are also speaking out against the tariffs.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford made an appearance on American network CNN on Tuesday morning to say Canada and Ontario will not back down.
“I apologize to the American people, it’s not you. It’s your president that’s causing this problem,” he said.
“They’re (Canadians) are absolutely livid, they’re furious cause we look at the United States as our family,” he added.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow described residents as “worried” when it comes to the uncertainty tariffs could bring, but assured that the city will stand together.
As the US imposes tariffs, hardworking Torontonians are worried. People are concerned about their jobs and cost of food. Toronto stands united in a Team Canada approach to respond to this senseless trade action. We will get through this together.
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) March 4, 2025
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said that residents are “nervous” and “concerned,” as tariffs could have a $1 billion impact in the manufacturing hub, affecting upwards of 28,000 jobs.
“The entire economy will suffer,” Horwath said in a video posted to X.
“But one thing I know for sure is that we’re also strong. We’re resilient, we’re fighters and we’re also committed Canadians.”
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles described the tariffs as an “economic weapon” against Ontario workers, and emphasized the need to fight back.
Tariffs are an economic weapon—and Trump just pointed it at Ontario workers.⁰ ⁰We need to fight like hell. To protect jobs. To protect industries. To make sure our economy is built to withstand this and whatever comes next.⁰⁰A tariff-proof economy isn’t a slogan. It’s an…
— Marit Stiles (@MaritStiles) March 4, 2025
Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie said on X that her party is completely supportive of the retaliatory tariffs, and encouraged Premier Ford to scrap the province’s $100 million deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink immediately.
While Canadian NDP leader Jagmeet Singh penned a letter to fellow federal party leaders, calling for an emergency session of Parliament to lay out a protection plan for Canadian industries.
This morning, Canadians have woken up to an unprecedented Trade War waged on us by a hostile President.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) March 4, 2025
In this moment, we must be united.
To protect Canadian workers and jobs, New Democrats are calling for an emergency recall of Parliament. pic.twitter.com/7MFtSZML3c
“Canadian auto workers, steel, aluminum producers, farmers, and countless other industries risk being directly impacted by this trade war—one that could cost hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs and drive up prices for people already struggling with the cost of living. We cannot wait until it is too late to act,” Singh wrote.
“In the face of Donald Trump’s threat to our sovereignty, Canadians have come together with a unity and a pride that is inspiring. We should follow their example and show Canadians that their elected representatives can also rise to this nation-defining challenge.”
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