Canada braces for Trump’s threatened tariffs as Ottawa vows response

It remains to beryllium seen whether the Trump medication volition enforce tariffs connected Canadian and Mexican goods Saturday.

This comes aft weeks of U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly informing Mexico and Canada — 2 of the United States’ apical trading partners — helium volition enforce tariffs if the 2 countries bash not extremity fentanyl trafficking and the travel of migrants crossed U.S. border.

He has besides complained astir deficits successful commercialized aft some countries took steps to boost security.

On Thursday, Trump said they “may oregon whitethorn not” see a tariff connected Canadian lipid and state — Canada’s largest export to the United States — but whether tariffs volition beryllium the threatened 25 per cent ones connected each exports oregon lower, much circumstantial ones connected definite sectors remains unclear.

All eyes are present connected Ottawa, with the national authorities apt to contented retaliatory tariffs connected the U.S. if American tariffs spell into effect.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had warned the United States of a “forceful but tenable contiguous response.”

A time earlier that looming measure, Trudeau met with the Committee connected Internal Trade, made up of premiers and national officials nether the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, successful Toronto connected Friday.

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In his opening remarks earlier the meeting, Trudeau said Canada is successful a “critical moment” aft Trump doubled down connected his menace Thursday, saying that a 25 per cent tariff connected goods coming from Canada and Mexico would beryllium imposed connected Saturday.

“If the president does take to instrumentality immoderate tariffs against Canada, we’re acceptable with a effect — a purposeful, forceful but tenable contiguous response,” Trudeau said.

“It’s not what we privation but if helium moves forward, we volition besides act,” helium added. “We’re acceptable for immoderate script comes forward.”

–with files from Global’s Sean Boynton and Saba Aziz