According to President Trump’s statement on Monday, tariffs of 25 percent on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the major trade partners of the USA, and 20 percent on goods imported from China, will go into effect today.
The president’s decision immediately elicited several reactions. In particular, Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau declared that the local government will take a similar action immediately.
“Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered”, Trudeau said yesterday, “Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow (today), respond with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time.”
The prime minister further added: “Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures. While we urge the U.S. administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers, and for a fair deal.”
Trudeau went on to point out that the tariffs imposed by Trump would only make Americans pay more for food, gasoline, and cars. The premier also explained that the plan would disrupt an incredibly successful trade relationship and violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump himself during his first term.
Trudeau’s words were supported by Chrystia Freeland, a member of the Canadian parliament. During an interview with MSNBC the latter stated: “If these tariffs are put in place, it is going to hurt Americans … You are going to be putting tariffs, a tax, on the oil and gas and electricity that we sell you. Totally absurd. Your grocery prices are gonna go up, because you know what you need to grow food in the United States? You need fertilizer, and 80 percent of it comes from Canada. And you’re gonna put a 25 percent tax on it?”
The North American nation will not be the only one to take action against the tariffs imposed by the U.S. president.
China’s response was not long in coming either. In a note issued by the Ministry of Finance, Beijing announced the adoption of 15 percent duties on the import of some U.S. goods, such as poultry, wheat, cotton and corn.
On other goods, such as soybeans, pork and beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables and dairy products, 10% tariffs will be applied instead.
