OTTAWA (Rural Roots Canada) – U.S. President Donald Trump has made good on his tariff threat, slapping Canada with a 25% tariff on just about all goods effective Tuesday, February 4.

In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada would respond with 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods.

“We don’t want to be here, we didn’t ask for this, but we will not back down in standing up for Canadians,” said Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Ottawa.

Speaking directly to Americans, Trudeau reminded them that Canadian troops have fought side-by-side with American troops, from the beaches of Normandy during World War Two to the streets of Kandahar in Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He also mentioned the wildfires in Los Angeles, which were being fought with the help of Canadian water bombers.

“We were always there standing with you, grieving with you, the American people,” said Trudeau.

Trudeau specifically pointed to American beer, wine and spirits as the first items to be targeted by Canadian tariffs. He also mentioned vegetables, orange juice, clothing, shoes, perfume, appliances and furniture. He added more non-tariff trade actions would be coming.

RELATED: Alberta Canola Advocates Against & Prepares for Tariffs 

In a post on social media, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was “disappointed” by Trump’s decision to implement tariffs, saying this decision would hurt both Canadians and Americans.

“Alberta will do everything in its power to convince the U.S. President and Congress, as well as the American people, to reverse this mutually destructive policy.”

Premiers across the country condemned the tariffs, some announcing plans to fight back with tariffs and product restrictions.

IMPACT ON CANADA’S AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY 

Trump’s tariffs will have a lasting effect on Canada’s agriculture industry. The two countries have a longstanding agricultural partnership, accounting for $72.5 billion in agriculture and agri-food trade. Ag groups including Alberta Canola and the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada have spoken out about how devastating tariffs will be.

“Food is important,” said Robert Chevraux, Region 11 Director for Alberta Canola. “If you put a tariff on it, it’s going to cost your consumers a whole lot of money and you’re going to have to explain to them why the cost of food is going up.”

The AMC said previously that any tariffs “would severely disrupt North American agricultural supply chains, lead to higher costs for U.S. farmers who rely on Canadian-made equipment and jeopardize thousands of Canadian manufacturing and agricultural jobs.”

In posts on social media, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation, RJ Sigurdson, said he was deeply concerned about Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian exports, saying it threatens the livelihood of Alberta’s ranchers, farmers, and agri-food producers.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Alberta’s economy,” said Sigurdson. “These hardworking individuals, who put in long hours to grow and produce the food that feeds both Canada and the US, now face increasing uncertainty due to tariffs and trade barriers. It is a direct attack on Alberta’s agricultural exports which are essential to the American agriculture economy.”

“Our government will continue to stand up for ranchers, farmers, and all those working in agriculture, by lobbying the U.S. administration to reverse these harmful policies. The United States is our largest agricultural trade partner, and any disruption to this relationship will have far-reaching consequences for both countries.”

REASONS FOR THE TARIFFS 

The Republican president posted on social media that the tariffs were necessary “to protect Americans,” pressing the three nations to do more to curb the manufacture and export of illicit fentanyl and for Canada and Mexico to reduce illegal immigration into the U.S.

The Trump administration said the tariffs are aimed at stemming the flow of the drug fentanyl and undocumented immigrants entering the U.S. Trump posted on social media that the tariffs were necessary “to protect Americans.”When asked if Trump’s tariffs were really about those two issues, Trudeau pointed to the work already done to improve the border situation. “We have one of the strongest, more secure borders in the world…but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to do.”

“I understand the preoccupation the American president has with fentanyl deaths, we share those preoccupations. We’ve seen far too many communities across our country devastated by toxic drug supplies, by fentanyl, by opioid addictions.”

Trump’s tariff order also affects Mexico and China. Mexico has also announced retaliatory tariffs in response. China has yet to issue a direct repose. On Friday, Trump mentioned goods from the European Union, including computer chips, steel, copper and pharmaceutical drugs, would also likely be targeted by tariffs, potentially pitting the U.S. against the global economy.

 

 

 

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