Canada imposes $30 billion retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods
Canada's Finance Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, revealed on Sunday a comprehensive list of U.S. products that will be subjected to retaliatory tariffs against the American trade measures. Estimation suggests that the total value of these tariffs is estimated to be at $30 billion, with such goods as alcohol, household appliances, tools, firearms, dairy products, clothing, and fresh produce on the list.
This comes after the U.S. administration had announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on the imports of goods from Canada and Mexico, plus a 10% tariff on imports from China.
Chrystia Freeland condemns the tariffs, saying the country seeks fair trade
Chrystia Freeland, who was aspiring to be Canada's prime minister while being a vocal critic of tariffs, spoke out in strong opposition to the intensifying trade conflict. She clarified that even though Canada would not engage in a trade war it is not going to blink first.
"We don't want to have this fight, but we are not going to lose it," Freeland said in response to the tariffs. She described the decision as "terrible" and a "lose-lose" situation, arguing that American consumers would ultimately bear the brunt of the increased costs on essential goods imported from Canada.
She admitted that the economic strain this move was going to produce, yet still insisted that it was a necessary move for the greater good of the country. "Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!). But we will make America great again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid," she said in a post on X.
Trudeau Announces Canadian Response
In response to the U.S. tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed on Saturday night that his government would impose a 25% tariff on $155 billion worth of American goods. Those initial tariffs are expected to begin on Tuesday.
China and Mexico Push Back Against U.S. Tariffs
Other countries that have also expressed their strong objection to Trump's policies include China and Mexico. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce described the tariffs as a "wrongful practice" and announced intentions to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization.
"China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese goods," the ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has condemned tariffs and moved to debunk claims by US President Trump by stating that the Mexican government had nothing to do with criminal organizations. To respond to such allegations, she said she would implement retaliatory tariffs on US goods while calling for a bi-national working group which would focus on public health and security issues.