Justin Trudeau on Donald Trump’s 25% import tariffs, says Canada is prepared

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country is “prepared” to face US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all imports starting from Tuesday.

On Saturday, Trump signed an executive order to place duties of 10 per cent on all imports from China and 25 per cent on imports from Mexico and Canada. But energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, would be taxed at a 10 per cent rate.

The order also includes a mechanism to escalate the rates if the countries retaliate against the US. The decision, however, risks an economic standoff with Mexico and Canada — America’s two largest trading partners in Mexico and Canada, while it could also cause inflation to significantly worsen.

In a tweet shortly after Trump’s announcement, Trudeau informed that he would be speaking to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum soon and had already met the Canadian premiers to discuss the issue.

“We did not want this, but Canada is prepared,” he added.

A day before Trump signed the executive order, the Canadian Prime Minister had warned of a “forceful and immediate response” if the US pressed forward with the tariffs.

“No one — on either side of the border — wants to see American tariffs on Canadian goods… We’re working hard to prevent these tariffs, but if the US moves ahead, Canada’s ready with a forceful and immediate response,” he tweeted.