‘Zero Tariffs or Nothing’: Canada Refuses to Back Down on Retaliatory Duties Unless Trump Removes 25% Tax- wna24

Toronto: Amid the ongoing tensions between Canada and the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made it clear that the country will not lift its retaliatory tariffs unless President Donald Trump removes the 25 per cent duties he imposed on Canadian goods, AP reported citing a senior government official.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the two leaders had a phone conversation earlier in the day. In a show of unity, several other Canadian officials echoed Trudeau’s position publicly.

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Echoing Trudeau’s stance, Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc told media, “We’re not interested in meeting in the middle and having some reduced tariff. Canada wants the tariffs removed.”

Similarly, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who highlighted Canada’s unyielding position said, “Zero tariffs or nothing. This attack was not started by our country. This was started by President Trump. He decided to declare an economic war against our country and our province, and we’re going to hold strong.”

After his brief talk with the Canadian Prime Minister, Trump in a post on Social Truth revealed that the two talked about “wheat can be done on tariffs.”

Trump said, “Justin Trudeau, of Canada, called me to ask what could be done about Tariffs. I told him that many people have died from Fentanyl that came through the Borders of Canada and Mexico, and nothing has convinced me that it has stopped. He said that it’s gotten better, but I said, “That’s not good enough.” The call ended in a “somewhat” friendly manner! He was unable to tell me when the Canadian Election is taking place, which made me curious, like, what’s going on here? I then realized he is trying to use this issue to stay in power. Good luck Justin!”

This comes after President Trump’s remarks on Tuesday by imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, triggering retaliatory measures from all three countries. Canada’s retaliatory tariffs specifically target a 25 per cent tax on US imports. While Canada imposed this tax, it limited the tariff on U.S. energy products to just 10 per cent.

Trump later offered a temporary exemption for U.S. automakers after speaking with industry leaders like those from Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. However, the uncertainty surrounding these tariffs continues to reverberate through both US and Canadian industries.

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The ongoing trade dispute could have serious consequences for both the U.S. and Canadian auto industries. Ford warned that if the tariffs are not lifted, both the American and Canadian auto sectors could face disruptions in as little as 10 days, potentially leading to factory shutdowns and widespread job losses.

“If these tariffs aren’t removed, people are going to lose their jobs,” Ford said.

Trudeau has strongly criticized the tariffs, calling them “very dumb,” a sentiment that has resonated with Canadians who are growing increasingly frustrated with Trump’s economic policies. University of Toronto professor Nelson Wiseman noted that Trudeau’s firm stance plays well with the Canadian public.

“Canada had a choice: to go along with [Trump’s] proposal or to reject it. The government opted for the latter, which may be a negotiating tactic, but it’s also showing resolve that the Canadian public appreciates,” Wiseman said.

In interviews with Bloomberg Television, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that Trump was still considering relief measures for certain sectors, with an April 2 deadline looming for the announcement of potential “reciprocal” tariffs.

As the situation continues to evolve, both countries are under pressure to find a resolution. However, Canada remains steadfast in its demands: Zero tariffs or nothing.