Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced they would also impose retaliatory tariffs on the US after President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration would impose levies against Canada and Mexico on Tuesday.
Trudeau announced on late Monday that Canada will implement 25% tariffs on C$155 billion ($107 billion) of American goods starting Tuesday if the US proceeds with its proposed tariffs on Canadian products.
Canada will slap 25% tariffs on C$30 billion worth of US goods from Tuesday, while levies on the remaining C$125 billion will be enforced after 21 days, according to Trudeau’s statement.
“Today, after a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.,” Trudeau added.
The Canadian PM said that this administration took few steps to stop the immigration flow. The Canada had 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.
Canada also appointed a Fentanyl Czar, listed transnational criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, launched the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell, and are establishing a Canada-US 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 US Customs and Border Protection.,” Trudeau said in a statement.
“Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered. Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow, respond with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time. Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures. ,” Trudeau added.
He urged the US administration to reconsider their tariffs and said that because of the tariffs imposed by the US, Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs.
Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports on February 1, but temporarily suspended them on February 3 when both nations committed to addressing border-related concerns. However, on Monday, he made it clear that no further exemptions would be granted.
“There is no room left for Mexico or Canada,” he stated firmly. The tariffs are all set and are going to effect tomorrow,” he added.
Last week, he announced the suspended tariffs would resume on Tuesday, citing ongoing concerns about substantial illegal drug trafficking, illegal migration and curbing the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl from neighbouring countries into the United States.
