Trump extols the power of tariffs, reiterates threat to impose them on Canada during NBC interview

Donald Trump is standing firm on his threat to impose significant tariffs on Canadian goods if the Canadian government does not take action on border security. In a recent interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump emphasized his belief in the power of tariffs, calling them “the most beautiful word” and stating that they will make the United States rich.

The president-elect highlighted the effectiveness of tariffs as a tool not only for economic purposes but also for addressing other issues beyond economics. He specifically mentioned his intention to impose a 25 per cent tariff on products from Canada and Mexico unless they address the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders.

Following his tariff threat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew to Trump’s estate in Florida for a surprise dinner, where they discussed border security. Trump jokingly mentioned Trudeau’s prompt visit in his NBC interview, stating that Trudeau flew to Mar-a-Lago within seconds of the call.

During the dinner, Trump expressed his concerns to Trudeau about the need for Canada to tighten its border security, emphasizing the influx of drugs into the country. He warned both Canada and Mexico that if the situation does not improve, he will implement tariffs on their countries at a rate of 25 per cent.

Former Department of Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli commented on Trump’s tariff threat, describing it as a serious measure given the pressing issues at hand. Cuccinelli noted that Trump is known for following through on his promises, indicating that the threat should not be taken lightly.

As for steps to enhance Canada-U.S. border security, Cuccinelli suggested that Trudeau should work on reducing illegal crossings to a level where it is no longer attractive for individuals to use Canada as a gateway to enter the United States.

While the specific demands from Canada to avert the tariff threat remain unclear, the Canadian government has taken some actions following the Trudeau-Trump meeting. These measures include increasing surveillance along the border by deploying additional helicopters and drones.

Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen expressed concerns about the potential impact of a 25 per cent tariff, citing fears of inflation and job losses in both countries. However, he also highlighted an opportunity for Canada and the United States to address the underlying issues raised by Trump’s tariff threat and work towards a resolution.

Overall, Trump’s stance on imposing tariffs on Canadian goods as a means to address border security issues underscores his commitment to prioritizing national security and economic interests. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what steps both countries will take to resolve the ongoing tensions.