Canadian premiers are calling on Ottawa to mount a strong response to incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose steep tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. During a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other government ministers, the premiers highlighted critical minerals and metals that the United States relies on from Canada.
Trump’s pledge, set to take effect after his inauguration in January, has raised fears of a potential trade war between the U.S. and two of its biggest trading partners. “A number of premiers offered strong support for a robust Canadian response, including some who proactively named critical minerals and metals produced in their provinces and exported to the United States,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters after the meeting.
Freeland emphasized that Canada’s focus is currently on reaching out to U.S. officials, with Canadian business and labor leaders also contacting their U.S. counterparts to discuss the implications of the proposed tariffs.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested that energy exports to the United States could also be halted, though he did not provide further details. The possibility of disrupting energy supplies underscores the potential economic impact of escalating trade tensions.
The discussions reflect growing concern among Canadian leaders about the future of cross-border trade. The United States is a major market for Canadian exports, and any significant changes to trade policies could have widespread implications for industries on both sides of the border.
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Canadian premiers urge strong response to Trump tariff threat
cgtn.com
