Ottawa [Canada], February 2: In response to the United States’ decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on most Canadian goods, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that “Canadians did not want this, but are prepared.”
On Sunday, sharing a post on X, Trudeau addressed the situation following the announcement, stating, “We did not want this, but Canada is prepared.” He revealed that he had met with the Premiers and the Cabinet earlier in the day to discuss the matter and mentioned he would be speaking with President Sheinbaum of Mexico soon.
“The United States has confirmed that it intends to impose 25 per cent tariffs on most Canadian goods, with 10 per cent tariffs on energy, starting February 4. I’ve met with the Premiers and our Cabinet today, and I’ll be speaking with President Sheinbaum of Mexico shortly,” Trudeau said. “We did not want this, but Canada is prepared. I’ll be addressing Canadians later this evening,” he added.
Earlier on Sunday, US President Donald Trump had announced on his social media platform Truth Social that a 25 per cent tariff would be imposed on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10 per cent tariff on goods from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug smuggling, including fentanyl. The tariffs were implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), emphasizing the need to protect US citizens and fulfill a campaign promise.
“Today, I have implemented a 25 per cent Tariff on Imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10 per cent additional Tariff on China. This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favour of it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump had previously made threats to impose tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, which came into effect on February 1. During his election campaign, Trump also threatened to impose tariffs as high as 60 per cent on Chinese-made products but opted to delay action on his first day back in office, ordering his administration to study the issue.