Canada Responds to New US Tariffs with Countermeasures
Canada is set to retaliate against the new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump by implementing 25% tariffs on a variety of American imports.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated during a press conference that Trump's actions would have significant consequences for Americans, according to Reuters.
Trudeau announced that tariffs on American goods totaling 155 billion Canadian dollars (107 billion US dollars) will come into effect shortly.
The tariffs will include American beers, wines, bourbons, as well as fruits and juices, including orange juice from Trump's home state of Florida. Canada will also impose tariffs on items such as clothing, sporting goods, and appliances.
He added that the upcoming weeks will be tough for Canadians, but Americans will also feel the impact of Trump's actions.
"Tariffs against Canada will threaten your jobs, potentially leading to the closure of American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities," Trudeau warned US citizens during the press conference in Ottawa.
Canada is also considering non-tariff measures that may involve critical minerals, energy sourcing, and other partnerships.
According to Canadian government data for 2023, over 2.5 billion US dollars cross the 9,000 km long US-Canada border daily, particularly in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
In 2023, Canada exported about 550 billion Canadian dollars worth of goods and services to the US, accounting for more than three-quarters of total exports. Energy constituted 30%, while industry made up about 15% of exports south of the border.
Exports to the US represent approximately 17.8% of Canada's GDP and support over 2.4 million jobs in the country.
Note:
US President Donald Trump has signed three orders to impose additional tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. This marks the first official action in the ongoing trade war. Leaders of Canada and Mexico have promised to respond with similar measures.
