Canadian PM Trudeau to Trump: 'A very stupid thing'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a press conference following the US decision to impose a 10 percent tariff on energy products such as crude oil and a 25 percent tariff on other products imported from Canada. Stating that Trump has launched a trade war against Canada, Trudeau said, "We Canadians are reasonable and we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight when it comes to our country and the prosperity of everyone in our country."

Trudeau announced that his government will, in retaliation, immediately impose a 25 percent tariff on 21 billion dollars worth of goods imported from the US, and on 106 billion dollars worth of goods within 21 days.

Expressing that Canada will challenge the "illegal actions" of the US before the World Trade Organization (WTO) and through the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Trudeau said, "But in the meantime, the tariffs will remain in effect until the US withdraws its tariffs."

Addressing Americans, Trudeau stated that the Trump administration has "chosen to start a trade war that will hurt American families first and foremost," adding, "There is absolutely no justification or need for these tariffs today."

Responding to claims that Canada is not doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl across the US border, Trudeau emphasized that his government has strengthened border security. Trudeau said, "Donald, in the more than eight years we have worked together, we have accomplished great things. We signed a historic agreement that created record levels of employment and growth in both countries. We have achieved great things together on the world stage, and now we must work together to provide even more prosperity for North Americans in a very uncertain and challenging world."

"EXACTLY WHAT OUR RIVALS IN THE WORLD WANT TO SEE"

Referring to the Wall Street Journal's report on Trump's tariffs, Trudeau said, "I don't have a habit of agreeing with the Wall Street Journal, but they are pointing out, Donald, that despite you being a very smart man, this is a very stupid thing. Two friends fighting is exactly what our rivals in the world want to see."

"THIS WILL BE DIFFICULT"

Stating that his government will assist workers and businesses during the Canada-US trade war, Trudeau said, "I won't mince words, even though we will all act together, this will be difficult. The US trade war will hurt the Canadian economy, it will hurt us all. What our government must do is ensure that no one goes hungry."

"WE WILL NOT BE THE 51ST STATE"

Saying that Trump is using the excuse of fentanyl smuggling to justify the tariffs on Canada, Trudeau stated that the real motivation behind Trump's tariffs is something else, adding, "Actually, we need to go back to something Trump has said repeatedly: He wants the Canadian economy to collapse completely because that would make it easier for him to annex us."

Trudeau said, "First of all, that will never happen. We will never be the 51st state. But yes, it could hurt the Canadian economy, but as American families will soon learn, it will hurt people on both sides of this border."

News Source: İHA