Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has described US tariffs as “extremely unreasonable” and claimed that US President Donald Trump is “appeasing” Russia while waging a trade war against Canada.
At a tense news conference in his final days in office, Mr Trudeau said Canada would impose retaliatory tariffs on more than $100 billion worth of American goods in response to Mr Trump's 25% tariff.
“Today the United States launched a trade war against Canada, its closest partner and ally, its best friend. At the same time, it talks about positive cooperation with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying and murderous dictator. Make sense of that,” Mr. Trudeau said, clearly exasperated.
Mr Trump imposed tariffs on three of the US's biggest trading partners, prompting immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China and sending financial markets tumbling.
Shortly after midnight, Mr Trump imposed 25 per cent taxes on imports from Mexico and Canada, although the duty on Canadian energy resources was capped at 10 per cent.
“He is seeking the complete destruction of the Canadian economy because that will make it easier to annex our country,” Mr. Trudeau said. “That will never happen. We will never become the 51st state.”
Mr Trudeau addressed Mr Trump directly by name.
“I want to speak directly to one particular American, Donald,” Mr. Trudeau said.
“I usually disagree with the Wall Street Journal, but, Donald, they pointed out that, although you are a very smart man, this is a very unwise move.”
A senior government official said Mr. Trudeau informed Canada's provincial premiers on Tuesday afternoon of his intention to speak with Mr. Trump on Wednesday.
In his testimony to Congress on Tuesday night, Mr. Trump repeated two different explanations for his tariffs on Canada and Mexico, citing the U.S. trade deficit with both countries but also adding: “They have allowed fentanyl to enter our country in levels never seen before, killing hundreds of thousands of our citizens.”
He acknowledged that the tariffs could cause “some inconvenience.”
“It may be a little bit of an adjustment period,” he said, adding that farmers would benefit from reciprocal tariffs between countries that levy fees on U.S. exports. “You'll have to bear with me again, and it will get even better.”
On Tuesday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the U.S. was likely to reach an agreement with
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
