Photo: Alamy
President Trump has issued a clear warning to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following the implementation of U.S. tariffs on Canada.
When the Canadian Prime Minister threatened to issue retaliatory tariffs, Trump stated explicitly in a post on X that such tariffs would be met with an increase in reciprocal tariffs from the U.S.
“Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the U.S., our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!” President Trump said.
The post referenced Trump’s earlier comments about Trudeau becoming a governor if Canada were added as the 51st state to the U.S.
Trump imposed duties on Canada through an executive order issued on Feb. 1. The order states the purpose of the duties on Canada is to address the flow of illicit drugs across the northern border between the U.S. and Canada, including the flow of opioids which put a “severe strain on our healthcare system, public services, and communities.”
The order points out that, although the public focus has been largely on the southern border, cartel activity, human trafficking and drug smuggling are also problematic along the northern border.
The executive order also reserves the right for President Trump to respond to any retaliatory measures taken by Canada, including the option to “expand in scope the duties imposed under this order to ensure the efficacy of this action.”
After Trudeau expressed his willingness to issue retaliatory tariffs, President Trump emphasized his plan to make sure the U.S. tariffs had the intended effect.