Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised quick and aggressive countermeasures should the United States proceed with planned tariffs on Canada.
Speaking on Friday, Trudeau reaffirmed his government's commitment to avoiding the tariffs but made it clear Canada would not shy away from retaliation if they were imposed.
"We will keep working hard to ensure that these tariffs don't go through. But, as I've said, if unjustified tariffs are being placed on Canada this Tuesday, we will take action right away and with considerable strength, as Canadians would expect," Trudeau declared, according to CBC News.
The Canadian prime minister's statement is made as there is increasing tension in trade relations between the two countries. American President Donald Trump has persistently expressed his worry about illicit drug smuggling, saying that drugs are being smuggled into the United States via Canada and Mexico.
Trump has opted to implement the tariffs on March 4, with the retaliatory tariffs to escalate from April 2.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump referenced the current fentanyl crisis as one of the biggest reasons for his decision, claiming that the tariffs would cause other nations to be more aggressive in dealing with drug smuggling.
"We will not let this plague continue to hurt the USA. So unless it is stopped or greatly lowered, the new tariffs will be implemented as planned on March 4," Trump posted on X. "China will also pay an extra 10% tariff on that date."
Trudeau Rejects Tariffs, Spotlights Canada's Border Security Measures
Trudeau highlighted that his government is coordinating with provincial premiers, business leaders, and community representatives to make sure that tariffs do not happen.
"The priority for our government, and all of Team Canada, is to make sure that no tariffs are imposed on Canada—not on Tuesday, and not in the weeks to come," he said.
He recognized that the tariffs under consideration are tied to fentanyl smuggling concerns, which the U.S. attributes in part to Canada. Yet Trudeau noted that Canada, too, is facing the fentanyl problem.
Responding to accusations of Canadian complicity in drug trafficking, Trudeau stated that a small percentage of fentanyl smuggled into the United States comes from Canada.
"Less than one percent of the fentanyl that is coming into the U.S. is coming from Canada, but we understand that even that percentage must be decreased. That's why we've spent $1.3 billion to increase border security, sending Blackhawk helicopters, drones, and 10,000 officers to guard our borders and protect both Canadians and Americans," Trudeau said.
Trump Briefly Suspended Tariffs, Citing Security Deals
Previously, on Feb. 4, Trump revealed a 30-day tariff deferment on importation from Mexico and Canada. This came as he had already obtained guarantees that the two countries would increase security at the borders.
Trump, after negotiating with Mexican and Canadian authorities, had promised to put tariffs on hold but made clear that America will not think twice before re-instituting tariffs if issues over border security lingered.
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