Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says all options are on the table as Canada prepares its response to the possibility of tariffs on Canadian products bound for the United States.
President Donald Trump has indicated that tariffs on Canadian products may be imposed as early as February 1st, but what products and goods could be affected has not yet been made clear.
During his campaign, he suggested that 25 per cent tariffs would be applied to all Canadian goods entering the U.S., but is now setting up a team to analyze the impact.
Trudeau addressed the matter with reporters outside a two-day cabinet retreat in Montebello, Quebec this morning.
“If there are tariffs, we are ready to respond and defend Canadian interests,” says Trudeau, “but we will continue to remain steady in these times of uncertainty.”
Photo via CPAC
Trudeau says if retaliatory tariffs are placed on American goods, they will ensure that Canadian businesses and consumers are protected.
“That’s why we will look, as we have in the past, at things that have replacements for Canadian consumers that wouldn’t be tariffed.” He cites a previous example involving the so-called ketchup wars a decade ago. “The example from last time being Heinz’s Ketchup being replaced by French’s Ketchup, because French’s was still using Canadian tomatoes in its ketchup. Having Canadian consumers have alternatives to having to spend tariffs on American inputs is part of how we make sure that…Canadians don’t bear undue costs around tariffs.”
Pierre Poilievre Weighs in
The Opposition Conservatives agree that retaliatory tariffs are needed, but point to the prorogation of Parliament that the party says puts internal Liberal party politics “ahead of the country.”
Photo via X
Leader Pierre Poilievre says Ottawa has acknowledged that Canada’s weak border security is a problem, announcing a multi-billion dollar border plan, but one that cannot be funded without MPs and Senators authorizing the needed funds because the House of Commons is shut down.
Poilievre is calling on the Prime Minister to ask the Governor General to cut short prorogation and get Parliament working again.
