Ottawa increasingly worried Donald Trump is set on tariffs

There is growing concern in Canada that President-elect Donald Trump will follow through on his threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports once he takes office. Officials within Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s circle are becoming increasingly worried that Trump’s stance on tariffs is firm, especially given his recent social media posts praising the effectiveness of tariffs.

One example of Trump’s pro-tariff rhetoric is a post on his Truth Social platform on Jan. 1, where he claimed that tariffs were responsible for creating wealth in the United States and would help pay off the country’s debt. Additionally, Trump recently refuted a story in the Washington Post that suggested he may soften his stance on universal tariffs, stating unequivocally that his tariff policy will not be scaled back.

In response to these escalating tensions, Trudeau announced his resignation as prime minister and Liberal leader on Monday. However, he has chosen to remain in office for the time being to address the looming threat of tariffs from the incoming U.S. administration. The Canadian government had previously committed over $1 billion to border security improvements in an effort to appease Trump, but with Parliament prorogued, the fate of this funding is now uncertain.

As Canada prepares for potential retaliation against Trump’s tariffs, officials are finalizing a list of products to target. Florida orange juice is expected to be among the items selected for tariffs, as a symbolic gesture aimed at the new power center in Washington. Canadian officials are gearing up to announce their retaliatory measures in the coming days, drawing on past experience from imposing tariffs during Trump’s first term.

The goal of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs will be to inflict maximum political damage on the U.S. without unduly burdening Canadian consumers. By strategically selecting industries and goods for tariffs, Canada hopes to send a strong message to the Trump administration while safeguarding its own economic interests. Stay tuned for further developments on this escalating trade dispute between Canada and the United States.