Crippling trade tariffs scheduled to take effect at midnight have been “paused” for 30 days in a dramatic last-minute reprieve.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on the X social media platform.
I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly…
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 3, 2025
And U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed it in a post on his Truth Social platform.
A similar result was reached earlier in the day with Mexico, followed by a comment from the White House that Canada, like Mexico, was “bending a knee.”
Following a second call with Trump on Monday, Canada agreed to bring in a $1.3-billion plan to reinforce border protection, including new helicopters, personnel, and surveillance technology.
The initiative also includes appointing a Fentanyl Czar, listing cartels as terrorist organizations, and launching a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.
That’s despite the fact Canada accounts for less than a per cent of all fentanyl entering the U.S.
Trudeau committed to nearly 10,000 frontline personnel working on protecting the border.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and Canadians believe in a well-informed, rational, united approach to any issue we face. Less than 1% of fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Canada, and our country will stop it. pic.twitter.com/RX2pgliT9a
— Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) February 3, 2025
Meanwhile, Premier Andrew Furey says while less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl entering the United States comes from Canada, “we will stop it.”
Furey says the threats from the United States remain “very real” but he’s hopeful that Trump’s threats will not be put into place.
Jim Dinn
Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jim Dinn was turning his mind to the importance of self-reliance and sustainability.
Not to mention having options in the midst of such uncertainty and upheaval south of the border.
“If there’s a wakeup call, it’s a wakeup call that at this stage we can’t really depend on our closest neighbor, so at some point we’re going to have to start looking at being more self-sufficient, and also diversifying our trading partners.”
