Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Saturday that Canada will impose a 25 percent tariff on C$155 billion ($106.5 billion) worth of U.S. goods. This decision comes as a direct response to the tariffs previously put in place by the United States.
The new tariffs will be implemented in two phases: C$30 billion will take effect starting Tuesday, followed by an additional C$125 billion in 21 days, Trudeau disclosed during a news conference.
President Donald Trump had earlier signed an executive order imposing 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico beginning Tuesday, with the exception of Canadian energy products, which will face a lower duty of 10 percent.
Trudeau cautioned that the upcoming weeks will pose significant challenges for Canadians and warned that Trump's tariffs would also have adverse effects on Americans. Addressing the impact on U.S. consumers, he stated, \"They will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery store, gas at the pump. They will impede your access to an affordable supply of vital goods.\"
The Canadian tariffs will target a wide range of products, including American beer, wine, bourbon, various fruits and fruit juices like Florida's orange juice, clothing, sports equipment, and household appliances.
In addition to tariffs, Canada is exploring non-tariff measures related to critical minerals, energy procurement, and other strategic partnerships, Trudeau mentioned.
Encouraging economic resilience, Trudeau urged Canadians to support domestic products and consider vacationing within Canada instead of the United States. He emphasized, \"We didn't ask for this but we will not back down,\" reaffirming Canada's stance in the ongoing trade dispute.
Reference(s):
Trudeau announces 25 percent tariffs in response to Trump order
cgtn.com
