 "'We're ready...': Trudeau vows 'forceful but reasonable' response to US tariffs")
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said that Canada will respond immediately and forcefully if the US goes ahead with a threat to impose tariffs.
Speaking to an advisory council on Canada-US relations, Trudeau said the country was at a critical moment and warned that Canadians could be facing tough times.
US President Donald Trump has set a Saturday deadline to implement a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, citing the need for stronger measures to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and the deadly opioid fentanyl into the US.
Trump has long praised tariffs as effective economic policy. On Monday, Trump called “tariff” the fourth-most beautiful word in the dictionary, behind “God,” “love” and “religion.”
He has used and promised to employ tariffs for three primary purposes: to raise revenue, to bring trade into balance and to bring rival countries to the negotiating table.
“We’re ready with a response - a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response. It’s not what we want, but if he moves forward, we will also act,” Reuters quoted Trudeau as saying in televised remarks, adding that all options were on the table.
Canada sends 75% of all its goods and services exports to the US and the economy would be badly hit by Trump’s promised tariffs.
“I won’t sugarcoat it - our nation could be facing difficult times in the coming days and weeks,” Trudeau said.
“I know Canadians might be anxious and worried, but I want them to know the federal government, and indeed, all orders of government, have their backs,” Trudeau said.
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