Canada slaps 25% tariff on U.S. products in retaliation
Ottawa: Canada has imposed a 25% tariff on American goods worth $155 billion in retaliation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced retaliatory measures after U.S. President Donald Trump decided to move ahead of his decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods.
In response to the U.S. move, China and Mexico have vowed to take similar steps. Trump also imposed a 10% tariff on items imported from China.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday evening, Trudeau urged fellow Canadians to buy homemade products and give a thought about planning holidays in the country.
The Prime Minister said Canada’s response to the U.S. tariffs would be “far-reaching” and include items like American beer, wine, bourbon fruits and fruit juices.
Trudeau said, “ Tonight I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods. This will include immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods as of Tuesday followed by further tariffs on $125 billion worth of American products in 21 days time to allow Canadian companies and Supply chains to seek to find alternatives.”
“Like, the American tariffs, our response will also be far-reaching and include everyday items such as American beer, wine and bourbon fruits and fruit juices, including orange juice along with vegetables, perfume, clothing and shoes. It’ll include major consumer products like household appliances, furniture and sports equipment and materials like lumber and plastics along with much much more and as part of our response we are considering with the provinces and territories, several non-tariff measures including some relating to critical minerals energy procurement and other partnerships,” Trudeau added.
The Prime Minister said they would stand strong for Canada, and they would stand strong to ensure their countries continue to be the best neighbors in the world.
He assured Canadians that they are all in this together and it is “Team Canada” at its best.
“We will stand strong for Canada. We will stand strong to ensure our countries continue to be the best neighbors in the world. With all that said, I also want to speak directly to Canadians in this moment, I’m sure many of you are anxious but I want you to know we are all in this together, the Canadian government, Canadian businesses, Canadian organized labour Canadian Civil Society, Canada’s Premier and tens of millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast are aligned and united. This is Team Canada at its best,” he said while speaking to journalists in Ottawa.
In the beginning of his address, he talked about the impacts of tariffs on American people.
He said, “Tonight, first, I want to speak directly with Americans, our closest friends, and neighbors. This is the choice, yes, will harm Canadians, and beyond that it will have real consequences for you, the American people, as I have consistently said tariffs again against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities. They will raise costs for you, including food at grocery stores and gas at pumps. They will impede your access to an affordable supply of vital goods crucial for U.S. security such as nickel, potash, uranium, steel, and aluminum.”
“They will violate the free trade agreement that President and I, along with Mexican partner, negotiated and signed a few years ago. But, it doesn’t have to be this way,” Trudeau said.
