Canada to impose retaliatory tariffs on US — Trudeau
(FILES) Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau speaks at a press conference in the Old Port of Montreal in Montreal, Canada, on February 19, 2025. Canada will slap tariffs on US imports beginning March 4 in response to levies pledged by President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on March 3, adding “there is no justification” for Washington’s actions. (Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV / AFP)
Montreal, Canada — Canada will slap tariffs on US imports beginning Tuesday in response to levies pledged by President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday, adding “there is no justification” for Washington’s actions.
“Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow, respond with 25 percent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods,” the Canadian prime minister said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump shut down hopes Monday of an eleventh hour deal with Canada and Mexico to avert sweeping tariffs, while signing an order to hike duties on China.
Trump had unveiled — and then paused — blanket tariffs on imports from major trading partners Canada and Mexico in February, accusing them of failing to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
The halt is due to expire Tuesday, and US stock markets tumbled after Trump told reporters Monday there was “no room left” for both countries to avoid fresh levies.
READ: Mexico makes case to avoid US tariffs as it awaits Trump’s decision
The White House also said Trump had inked an order to increase a previously imposed 10 percent tariff on China to 20 percent.
But sweeping levies, particularly on Canada and Mexico, are set to snarl supply chains for key sectors like automobiles and construction materials, risking a hike in consumer prices.
This could complicate Trump’s efforts to fulfill his campaign promises of lowering costs for households.
On Monday, Trump told reporters that tariffs of up to 25 percent on Canada and Mexico were “all set.”
“What they’ll have to do is build their car plants, frankly, and other things in the United States, in which case they have no tariffs,” he added.
