Trump Tells Trudeau Canada Has 'Not Done Enough' to Prevent Tariff Hikes

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that steps taken to avert tariff hikes on Canadian imports were "not good enough." As scheduled, a significant tariff rise of 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports came into force on March 4, as well as a 20% rise on Chinese imports entering the US.

President Trump rationalized these tariff increases on Canada and Mexico as retaliation against the ongoing flow of illegal immigrants and fentanyl—an opioid—across their borders into the United States. China was targeted for its inability to stem the export of fentanyl, which is produced in the country.

Trump has also threatened to introduce a reciprocal tariff system against the countries that charge more duties on American exports. India is one of the countries he has often mentioned in this context.

"Justin Trudeau, of Canada, called me to inquire about what could be done regarding Tariffs," Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social.

"I informed him that numerous individuals have perished as a result of Fentanyl that has entered the Borders of Canada and Mexico, and nothing has made me believe it has ceased. He told me that it has improved, but I said, 'That's not good enough.'"

Also, Trump made a sarcasm at Trudeau's expense, implying that the Canadian prime minister was using the tariff matter for political survival.

"He could not tell me when the Canadian Election was occurring, and so I was intrigued, like, what's really going on here? I then realized he is attempting to leverage this problem for remaining in office. Good luck Justin!"

Trudeau resigned as Prime Minister in January following a loss of support among the ruling Liberal Party, which is to choose a new leader on March 9. The nation's general elections are to take place in October.

In a second post, Trump went on to attack Trudeau, sarcastically calling him "Governor" and suggesting Canada was the US's 51st state.

"For those interested, I also informed Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada that he pretty much created the problems we have with them due to his Weak Border Policies, which permitted tremendous quantities of Fentanyl, and Illegal Aliens, to pour into the United States," Trump wrote.

Trudeau has called Trump's tariffs on Canadian products "dumb" and retaliated by slapping a 25% tariff on $30 billion of unspecified US imports. This retaliatory measure is set to rise to $125 billion in goods over the next 21 days.