Politics
Trudeau Tries to Scare Americans Over Trump’s 25% Tariffs
Justin Trudeau suggested on Sunday that President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks about Canada becoming America’s “51st state” have diverted attention away from the harm that steep tariffs would cause to U.S. consumers.
Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports.
“The 51st state, that’s not going to happen,” Trudeau said during an interview with far-left MSNBC. “But people are talking about that, as opposed to talking about what impact 25% tariffs (has) on steel and aluminium coming into the United States.”
Trudeau told MSNBC, “No American wants to pay 25% more for electricity, oil, and gas imported from Canada.” That’s something I believe people should pay more attention to.
Trump has also stated that a merger between Canada and the United States would result in lower taxes and no tariffs.
“I know that as a successful negotiator, he likes to keep people off balance,” Trudeau said of Trump’s threats to use economic pressure to make Canada the 51st state. Trump has also mischaracterized the US trade deficit with Canada, a natural resource-rich country that supplies the US with commodities such as oil, as a subsidy.
Trudeau threatens retaliatory tariffs
Canadian officials say that if Trump follows through on his threat of punishing tariffs, Canada will consider imposing retaliatory tariffs on American orange juice, toilets, and some steel products.
During Trump’s first term in office, Canada responded to Trump’s tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium by imposing its own on American goods such as bourbon, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and playing cards.
“He got elected to try and make life easier for all Americans, to support American workers,” Trudeau said in reference to Trump. “These (tariffs) are things that are going to hurt them.”
Trump stated last week that the United States does not require oil, or anything else, from Canada. However, Canada supplies nearly a quarter of the oil that the United States consumes each day. Alberta, an energy-rich western province, exports 4.3 million barrels of oil per day to the United States.
According to data from the United States Energy Information Administration, the country consumes 20 million barrels of oil per day and produces approximately 13.2 million barrels.
Canada, a founding member of NATO with over 40 million people, is also the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Every day, nearly $2.7 billion in goods and services cross the border.
Trudeau Unlinked in Canada
Trump has stated that he would reconsider his tariff threat if Canada improved border security, which he and his advisers believe is a potential entry point for undocumented migrants.
Trudeau has stated that less than 1% of illegal immigrants and fentanyl enter the United States from Canada.
However, following a meeting with Trump last November at Mar-a-Lago, the president-elect’s private club and residence in Florida, Trudeau announced an increase in border security spending, expressing willingness to address Trump’s concerns in the hopes that he would reconsider his tariff threats.
With Trump’s second administration looming and Trudeau’s party trailing in the polls, the embattled Canadian prime minister announced his resignation on Monday. On March 9, his Liberal Party will elect a new leader.
Justin Trudeau’s unpopularity among many Canadians stems from a combination of policies, scandals, and perceived leadership shortcomings. Critics argue that his government has failed to deliver on key promises, such as addressing housing affordability and improving Indigenous relations.
The costly carbon tax, which some regard as ineffective and punitive, has fuelled frustration, particularly in provinces reliant on industries such as oil and gas. His handling of ethical issues, such as the SNC-Lavalin scandal and questions about accountability, has eroded trust.
Many believe Trudeau prioritises image over substance, portraying an out-of-touch leader. Rising national debt, inflation, and affordability issues have all contributed to dissatisfaction.
Some believe Trudeau represents a disconnect between federal priorities and the daily challenges that Canadians face. His polarising approach has made even former Liberal supporters question his leadership.
These factors, combined, have fuelled growing disapproval across political and regional lines.
