Trump Drops Another ‘Tariff Bomb’ on ‘Governor’ Trudeau, Threatens Tariffs On Canada’s Retaliatory Duties

Washington: Donald Trump on Tuesday dropped another 'tariff bomb’ on Canada and warned Trudeau that if he moves ahead with imposing tariffs on Americans imports, the reciprocal tariff on Canadian imports in the United States will immediately increase by a like amount.

Taking to Truth Social, President Trump said, “Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a retaliatory tariff on the US, our reciprocal tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!”

Trump's threat came soon after Trudeau, in a news conference, called US President's action of levying import duties on Canadian imports a dumb thing to do and reciprocated it with 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of US imports in Canada.

A few hours ago, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that President Trump was trying to appease Russia after the latter imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods and another 10 per cent on Canadian energy imports.

Canada, hours after United States' move, announced decision to impose 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of US goods as Trudeau termed US decision a dumb move.

Trudeau, who is the outgoing Canadian Prime Minister, said that Canada would levy retaliatory tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods in response to Trump's 25 per cent duties.

“Today the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend. At the same, they are talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin , a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense,” an angry Trudeau, who is referred to as Governor Trudeau by Trump, said.

"I want to speak directly to one specific American, Donald… It’s not in my habit to agree with the Wall Street Journal, but Donald, they point out that even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do," Trudeau said.

Trudeau accuses Trump of destroying Canada's economy but favouring Russia

Trudeau further accused Trump of destroying the Canadian economy saying, “He said a number of times that his goal is to ruin the Canadian economy, so that he can move on to annex the country. That’s what he wants."

“How do Americans feel about jettisoning ones 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,” the outgoing Canada CM said.

Not just Canada, Mexico, China retaliate too 

Soon after Trump announced new tariffs, Mexico, Canada and China also announced retaliatory tariffs, sending financial markets into a tailspin.

“Canadians are hurt. Canadians are angry. We are going to choose to not go on vacation in Florida… We are going to choose to try and buy Canadian products... and yeah we’re probably going to keep booing the American anthem,” Trudeau said.

The premier of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, said that he would issue a 25 per cent export tax on electricity sold to the U.S. and may later cut it off completely if the American tariffs persist. Ontario powered 1.5 million homes in the U.S. in 2023 in Michigan, New York and Minnesota.

With inputs from AP