Canadian Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne has made it clear that Ottawa will not tolerate being compared to Mexico in the face of the 25 percent tariffs threatened by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Champagne emphasized that Canada is committed to protecting its border in collaboration with the United States and defending the interests of Canadian workers and industry.
Strong Reactions from Ontario
Doug Ford, the head of Ontario’s government, expressed his outrage, calling the comparison to Mexico “the most insulting thing” he has ever heard from the United States. Ford has even called for Mexico to be expelled from the USMCA, a sentiment echoed by other provincial leaders who fear the tariffs could trigger a recession in Canada.
Trudeau’s Response
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to meet with provincial government chiefs to address the tariffs. Trudeau described a recent phone call with Trump as “good,” stating that they can present facts and move forward constructively. Despite this, the Canadian dollar fell nearly 1 percent against the U.S. dollar following Trump’s announcement.
Tariff Details
Trump has promised that all Mexican and Canadian goods will face a 25 percent tariff in retaliation for drug trafficking and illegal immigration. He also proposed a 10 percent tariff on Chinese products until China stops the flow of fentanyl. Trump asserted that both Mexico and Canada have the power to resolve these issues and must do so to avoid paying a high price.
Source: El Financiero
