Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa would impose 25 per cent import tariffs on US goods in response to Washington’s actions.
“Tonight I am announcing that Canada will respond to the US trade action with 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of US goods. This will include current tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods, effective February 4,” Trudeau told reporters.
He noted that this would be followed by additional tariffs on $125 billion worth of US goods over a 21-day period to give Canadian companies time to find alternative partners.
Trudeau said Ottawa was considering a range of non-tariff countermeasures against the US, including on critical minerals and energy.
“As part of our response, we are considering with the provinces and territories a number of non-tariff measures, including some related to critical minerals, energy, procurement and other forms of partnerships,” Trudeau said.
He added that he had been trying to contact the US president since his inauguration on January 20 and that he hoped to speak with him soon.
US President Donald Trump signed executive orders imposing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China.
Tariffs of 25 percent are being imposed on all goods from Canada, except for energy products, which will be subject to a 10 percent rate.
The tariff on goods from Mexico will be 25 percent and from China 10 percent.
Trump’s decree includes the option of increasing it if any country introduces retaliatory measures against Washington.
Previously, the US president, explaining the introduction of the duties, noted that Canada is responsible for large amounts of drug trafficking to the United States.
He stated that drugs also entered the country through Mexico, and are also produced by China.
