Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to counter US tariffs with a call for Canadians to prioritize domestically made goods. Trudeau’s response comes after US President Donald Trump announced levies of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside an additional 10% tax on Chinese goods set to take effect on February 4. In a statement on X, Trudeau urged citizens to “check the labels, do their part, and choose Canada whenever possible.” He emphasized the importance of supporting local industries amidst escalating trade tensions.
In retaliation, Canadian provinces have already begun implementing bans on US products. Nova Scotia has removed American alcohol from its shelves and increased tariffs on commercial vehicles from the US. Canada’s Finance Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, unveiled a comprehensive list of US products subject to retaliatory tariffs amounting to approximately USD 30 billion. This list includes items such as alcohol, household appliances, tools, firearms, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and clothing.
Chrystia Freeland, a contender for Prime Minister and rival to Trudeau, criticized the tariffs as detrimental and stressed that Canada will not back down from the trade dispute. She described the situation as “terrible” and “lose-lose,” asserting that the tariffs would adversely impact Americans who depend on Canadian goods. Canada plans to pursue legal action through international bodies to challenge what it deems as illegal and unjustified tariffs imposed by the United States. Officials in Ottawa confirmed the country’s intention to seek legal recourse under existing agreements with the US, highlighting their commitment to defending Canadian interests in the face of trade disputes.
