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Trudeau Responds to Trump’s Economic Threats
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has characterized recent comments by former President Donald Trump regarding the potential annexation of Canada as a diversion from the serious economic implications of Trump’s proposed tariffs. This remark comes amid rising tensions surrounding trade relations between the two nations.
Trump has indicated plans to implement a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada, contingent upon improvements in border security. During a recent press event, he provocatively stated that he was contemplating the use of “economic force” to acquire Canada. Such statements have raised eyebrows and concerns across the Canadian political landscape.
In an interview with CNN, Trudeau expressed skepticism about Trump’s intentions, suggesting that the former president’s negotiation tactics are aimed at shifting public focus from the negative consequences that these tariffs could impose. Trudeau remarked, “What I think is happening in this is President Trump, who is a very skillful negotiator, is getting people to be somewhat distracted by that conversation.”
Trudeau highlighted that if these tariffs were to be enforced, American consumers would face significantly higher prices for a range of goods imported from Canada, including oil, gas, electricity, steel, aluminum, lumber, and concrete. He emphasized the interconnectedness of the economies and the potential fallout from such trade barriers.
Moreover, Trudeau firmly stated that Canada would respond appropriately if Trump followed through on his threat. He recalled a previous trade dispute in 2018, where Canada imposed tariffs on various American products like Heinz ketchup, playing cards, bourbon, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles—items chosen deliberately to inflict economic pressure on American workers.
However, Trudeau stressed that imposing countermeasures is not the desired outcome, as it ultimately raises costs for Canadian consumers and disrupts the vital relationship between the two neighboring countries. “But we don’t want to do that because it drives up prices for Canadians and it harms our closest trading partner,” he explained, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to maintaining healthy trade ties with the United States.
Source
www.theguardian.com