Trudeau pledges economic support in face of U.S. tariffs

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is working on supports for Canadians impacted by U.S. tariffs and seeking new markets for exports.

Trudeau told media on Tuesday morning that Canada would be moving forward with retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods. Tariffs will be added on a further $125 billion worth of products in 21 days if the U.S. doesn’t back down.

“I won’t sugar-coat it,” said Trudeau. “This is gonna be tough, even though we’re all gonna pull together.”

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“But Canada, make no mistake,” the Prime Minister continued, “no matter how long this lasts, no matter what the cost, the federal government and other orders of government will be there for you. We will protect Canadian jobs. We will take measures to prevent predatory behaviour that threatens Canadian companies.”

TRUDEAU PLEDGES ECONOMIC SUPPORT

He said the government will use “every tool at (its) disposal” so support Canadians economically, including expansions to employment insurance benefits and providing direct supports to businesses.

Trudeau pointed to recent efforts to remove interprovincial trade barriers to help support Canadian trade. He also said Canada is working to find new international trading partners and has redoubled efforts to work with Mexico.

Experts in Canada have recommended Canada look to new trading partners to support agri-food exports.

Trudeau said he was heartened to see the support for Canadian goods and services and mentioned seeing lists of Canadian-made products shared on social media.

Trudeau said he has reached out to Donald Trump to speak and expects him to respond, though he has not spoken to the President yet.

TRUMP’S GOALS UNCLEAR

Trump’s goals and plans are unclear beyond the possibility of ruining Canada’s economy and annexing the country, Trudeau said, in remarks translated from French.

“That’s never going to happen,” he said, “we will never be the 51st state.”

“Do not give up,” Trudeau said, addressing Canadians.

When it comes to defending the country, “there is no price we all aren’t willing to pay,” he said.

The Prime Minister will be meeting with provincial Premiers later this afternoon to discuss what measures to move forward with.