Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday accused US President Donald Trump of deliberately imposing tariffs to weaken Canada’s economy, claiming it was part of an effort to make annexation easier.
His remarks came as the United States enforced a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods, escalating tensions between the two nations. Canada swiftly retaliated, sparking a trade war that threatens billions of dollars in daily cross-border commerce.
Trump justified the tariffs by citing concerns over undocumented migration and fentanyl trafficking from Canada into the US. However, Trudeau dismissed this rationale, calling it “completely false” and maintaining that Canada is not a significant contributor to these issues.
When asked about Trump’s motivations, Trudeau said, “He wants to see a collapse of the Canadian economy because that would make it easier to annex us.” He also pointed out that Trump has repeatedly spoken about making Canada the 51st state of the US.
“The United States launched a trade war against Canada,” Trudeau stated, adding, “Canadians are reasonable. We are polite. We will not back down from a fight.”
Trudeau further criticised the tariffs as a misguided move, telling Trump directly that while he considers him a “smart guy,” the decision to impose tariffs was “a very dumb thing to do.”
As Trudeau prepares to step down as prime minister following the Liberal Party’s leadership transition on Sunday, he remains focused on securing the removal of US tariffs. His government has implemented measures, including a costly border security initiative and appointing a fentanyl czar, to address American concerns in hopes of resolving the crisis.
Despite rising tensions, Trudeau reiterated his willingness to engage with Trump, stressing the need to lift the tariffs “as quickly as possible.”
