The Prime Minister says the pretext used by the Trump administration for imposing punishing tariffs on Canada is absolutely false – and the apparent tilt of the U.S. toward Russia is cause for serious concern.

Donald Trump made good on threats to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian exports to the U.S. and a lesser 10 per cent tariff on energy.

Canada is countering with its own retaliatory tariffs on American goods, and Trudeau echoed the Wall Street Journal’s assessment that imposing U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods is a “really dumb” policy.

The Trump administration claims that Canada has not done enough to stem the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. but Justin Trudeau says that is absolutely false.

“The facts show very clearly that in terms of taking action on fentanyl, we are doing everything that is necessary and not just for the United States, but for ourselves as well as Canadians are suffering as well from the scourge that is illegal fentanyl.”

The Prime Minister says what the United States is doing is troubling, and believes that the tariffs are intended to weaken the Canadian economy.

“These tariffs are not specifically about fentanyl” says Trudeau, “even through that is the legal justification he must use to move forward.”

Trudeau warns about U.S. aligning itself with Russia

Trudeau says with its tariffs, the U.S. has chosen to launch an unjustified trade war with one of its closest allies, and is choosing instead to align itself with Russia.

“I think the question that we all need to be watching closely is, ‘What do the American people think?’ How do Americans feel about jettisoning one’s friends and allies in favour of a country that has never wished Americans well, and continues to act in ways that harm the global economy and specifically the American economy and American values and principles.”