The polar vortex forced White House staff to move Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington indoors, but it was his inaugural speech that sent a chill over Canadian observers as he announced plans to establish tariffs and taxes on foreign goods being brought into the United States.

For some time, Trump had threatened 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, prompting provincial leaders to come together to plan retaliatory economic action against the US. He now says tariffs on Canadian goods could be coming as soon as February 1.

The impact of a 25 per cent tariff on everything from Canadian energy to food and goods is expected to have a dramatic, if not, devastating impact on the Canadian economy.

Among the first Executive Orders taken by Trump was to create an External Revenue Agency to monitor and administer taxes and tariffs on foreign goods.

“Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens.”

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs says federal ministers are working on a Team Canada approach to the Trump administration. Trump’s plans are a concern to business, industry and elected officials in this country which is the United States’ biggest trading partner.

Melanie Joly spoke with reporters yesterday as cabinet ministers gathered for a two-day cabinet retreat with Trump and trade top on the agenda.

Joly says they’ve been in contact with key Republican and Democratic officials and Jonathan Wilkinson has been “working the hill” on energy matters. She says they’re working as “Team Canada, and we’ll continue to advocate for a win-win relationship” while continuing to “defend Canada’s interests.”