Published 07:38 IST, February 2nd 2025
'Canada is Ready': Trudeau Responds to US President Donald Trump's 25% Import Tariffs
'We did not want this, but Canada is prepared': Justin Trudeau responds to US President Donald Trump's 25% import tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico and China.

Ottawa: The outgoing Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reacted strongly to US President Donald Trump 's announcement of 25% import tariffs being imposed on Canada, Mexico and China. Trudeau has said that even though Canada did not want this, they are prepared; he will also be addressing the nation later today.
‘Canada is Ready’: Canada PM Justin Trudeau Responds to Trump's Tariffs
Following Donald Trump's announcement of imposition of 25% import tariffs, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has responded to Trudeau's decision. Trudeau said in a statement that Canada is ready.
He further said, "The United States has confirmed that it intends to impose 25% tariffs on most Canadian goods, with 10% tariffs on energy, starting February 4. I’ve met with the premiers and our cabinet today, and I’ll be speaking with President Sheinbaum of Mexico shortly. We did not want this, but Canada is prepared."
‘Tariffs on Canada Would Put Your Jobs at Risk’: Trudeau to Americans
In an announcement to the media after US imposed import tariffs on Canada, Trudeau spoke ‘directly to Americans’ and said, “Today US informed us they would be imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian exports to the US and 10% on Canadian energy. I want to speak directly to Americans - It will have real consequences for you, tariffs on Canada would put your jobs at risk; it will raise cost for you and it would violate the free trade agreement.”
Canada Imposes 25% Tariffs on American Goods in Tit-For-Tat Move
In a tit-for-tat move, Trudeau has imposed $155 billion tariffs on US - "Canada announces 25% tariffs on billions worth of American goods". On imposing tariffs on United States, Trudeau said, "This is a choice that will harm Canadians, but behind that it will have real consequences on the American people."
Florida orange juice, Tennessee whiskey, Kentucky peanut butter — Canada to tariff Republican states' most iconic brands to hit Trump voters hardest.
Canada Announces Retaliatory Measures Against United States
British Columbia Premier David Eby declared US President Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed on Canada 'a declaration of an economic war', and vowed to 'respond firmly and forcefully'.
He announced the following counter-measures:
1)directed the bc liquor distribution branch to immediately halt purchases of american liquor from “red states.”
2)ordered the removal of the most popular us liquor brands from government store shelves.
3)directed the b.C. Government and crown corporations to stop buying american goods and services and prioritize canadian alternatives.
Eby added that trump’s tariffs will force canada to search for other defense industry suppliers.
Trump Imposes 25% Import Tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico
US President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China — fulfilling one of his post-campaign commitments to voters that also carries the risk of sparking higher inflation and disrupting businesses across North America. Trump's order also includes a mechanism to escalate the rates if the countries retaliate against the US, as they are possibly prepared to do.
Announcing the decision on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "Today, I have implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian energy), and a 10% additional tariff on China. This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our citizens, including fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.”
Impact of Tariffs Imposed by Trump
The tariffs would go into effect on Tuesday, setting a showdown in North America that could potentially sabotage economic growth. A new analysis by the Budget Lab at Yale laid out the possible damage to the US economy, saying the average U.S. household would lose the equivalent of USD 1,170 in income from the taxes. Economic growth would slow and inflation would worsen — and the situation could be worse if Canada, Mexico and China retaliate.
“It doesn't make much economic sense,'' said William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former U.S. trade official. “Historically, most of our tariffs on raw materials have been low because we want to get cheaper materials so our manufacturers will be competitive ... Now, what's he talking about? He's talking about tariffs on raw materials. I don't get the economics of it.'' The Republican president is making a major political bet that his actions will not significantly worsen inflation, cause financial aftershocks that could destabilize the worldwide economy or provoke a voter backlash.
(Inputs from AP)
Updated 08:11 IST, February 2nd 2025