Just overnight, the tensions between Canada and the U.S. escalated.
Since Trump was elected, he has expressed his desire to impose 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on imports from China. Leaders and representatives from Canada, Mexico, and China have begun discussing how to combat and diffuse this situation.
However, the President of The United States is dead set on tariffs.
On February 1st, Trump declared a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, imposing a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports and a reduced 10% tariff on energy products. The rationale for these tariffs includes concerns over illegal immigration and the influx of fentanyl into the United States.
Canada’s Retaliation:
Canada’s immediate response to these tariffs has been implementing 25% tariffs on 1,256 U.S. products. American products include agriculture, alcoholic beverages, consumer goods, and industrial products. These tariffs will come into effect on February 4th.
Additionally, Canada plans to introduce further tariffs on automotive and aerospace products totalling C$125 billion in the coming weeks.
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau directly addressed the American and Canadian people yesterday, Sunday, February 2nd.
Trudeau emphasized the deep-rooted partnership between Canada and the United States, highlighting shared sacrifices and collaborations throughout history. He expressed disappointment over the U.S. administration’s decision, stating that such tariffs are “unjustified, unfair, and frankly illegal,” and warned that they would harm American and Canadian economies.
Here are some words Trudeau voiced to both the American and Canadian people:
“I want to speak directly to Americans, our closest friends and neighbours. This choice will harm Canadians, but beyond that, it will have real consequences for you, the American people.”
“As I have consistently said, tariffs against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities.”
“They will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery stores and gas at the pump. They will impede your access to an affordable supply of vital goods crucial for U.S. security, such as nickel, potash, uranium, steel and aluminum. They will violate the free trade agreement that the president and I, along with our Mexican partner, negotiated and signed a few years ago. But it doesn’t have to be this way.”
“If president Trump wants to usher a new “Golden Age” for the United States, the better path is to partner with Canada, not to punish us.”
“I’m sure many of you are anxious, but I want you to know we are all in this together. The Canadian government, Canadian businesses, Canadian organized labour, Canadian civil society, Canada’s premiers, and tens of millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast are aligned and united.”
“This is Team Canada at its best.”
What Are Canadians doing now?
Across the nation, Canadians are upset, and in less than 24 hours, a boycotting American movement has come into effect.
Canadians are cancelling their trips to the U.S. and buying only Canadian-made products. In grocery stores, we see staff putting out labels and stickers to help show what products are Canadian.
Social Media has added fuel to the situation, with many people posting, sharing, and engaging with any discourse surrounding it.
The American people are also voicing their disapproval of the tariffs, and President Trump himself even acknowledged in a tweet that these tariffs might cause “pain” to Americans.
The Wall Street Journal has claimed this to be the “Dumbest Trade War in history.”
There seems to be an obvious answer here.
Canada has come together to fight these tariffs, but there will be scarcities, and sacrifices will be made. An impending recession on Canadian soil could be approaching, and the same panic and anxiousness from 2020 might snowball throughout the nation.
But one thing is sure: the once valuable partnership between Canada and the U.S. that nations across the globe envied is strained and could forever be tainted.
