- cross-posted to:
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- cross-posted to:
- [email protected]
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on unjustified U.S. tariffs against Canada:
“Today, after a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.
“While less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada, we have worked relentlessly to address this scourge that affects Canadians and Americans alike. We implemented a $1.3 billion border plan with new choppers, boots on the ground, more co-ordination, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. We appointed a Fentanyl Czar, listed transnational criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, launched the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell, and are establishing a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force on organized crime. Because of this work – in partnership with the United States – fentanyl seizures from Canada have dropped 97 per cent between December 2024 and January 2025 to a near-zero low of 0.03 pounds seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered. Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow, respond with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time. Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures. While we urge the U.S. administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers, and for a fair deal.
“Because of the tariffs imposed by the U.S., Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs. Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term.”
I’m not sure what you’re struggling with. Yes a price change will not affect those who are not buying the product. But not buying the product is the goal in both cases. Remember tariffs don’t always affect just one product. A tax on steel will affect everything made from steel. And not everyone will avoid the product. I suppose you could argue that those Canadians who buy the product should be punished but that’s what I’m arguing against. In the US avoiding products made in China is nearly impossible so we have to suffer with the tariffs, which China probably won’t.
I am not struggling with anything, you are just not making any sense.
By your arguments Canada should neither put tariffs on the US nor really promote a boycott since in both cases, Canadians lose out. So why did you suggest Canada should respond with a boycott?
They SHOULD respond with a boycott. They wouldn’t be losing out if the government made it widely known what products to avoid if possible. Not buying American products doesn’t mean they lose out of there is a suitable substitute, but they have to be made aware. It was just a suggestion. There are other ways too. Like this refusal to sell America electricity thing. I’m sure there are others that don’t involve taxing Canadians.