Toronto – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not willing to lift Canada retaliation rates In the United States if President Donald Trump leaves any American tariffs in CanadaA senior government official told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The official confirmed Trudeau’s position on anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. The official said Trump and Trudeau spoke on the phone around noon.
Other Canadian officials publicly echoed the Trudeau position.
“We are not interested in gathering in the middle and having a reduced rate. Canada wants tariffs to be eliminated, “said Canadian finance minister Dominic Leblanc, to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
The Prime Minister of Ontario, Doug Ford, the leader of the most populous province in Canada, agreed.
“Zero tariffs or nothing. This attack was not initiated by our country. This was initiated by President Trump. He decided to declare an economic war against our country and our province, and we will stay strong, ”said Ford.
Triumph launched a new commercial war On Tuesday, imposing tariffs against the three largest commercial partners in Washington, causing immediate retaliation of MexicoCanada and Porcelain and send financial markets to a tail. Trump put 25% of taxes, or tariffs, in Mexican and Canadian imports, although he limited the 10% tax in Canadian energy.
A day after the new tariffs came into force, Trump said Grant a one month exemption For us car manufacturers. The announcement occurred after Trump spoke on Wednesday with the leaders of Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Jeep. His press secretary said Trump told executive directors to transfer automobile to the United States to avoid tariffs.
“Several industries have contacted us to ask for exemptions to tariffs,” said Vice President JD Vance.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick These exceptions could be considered, a statement that reflected a softening of the US position after import taxes harm the stock market and concerned with consumers.
Ford took note of anxiety, saying that the American people “woke up two days ago when the market was starring.” The Americans “are expressing their opinion. The CEO, the market collapsed. That is what really caught Trump’s attention).”
Some Canadian provinces prohibited the sale of American alcohol, including Manitoba, whose leader, Wab Kinew, mocked Trump by signing a “beautiful” order that officially eliminates all US liquors. UU. Of the stores in his province.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said they are not interested in passing “through this psychodrama every 30 days.”
“There is too much unpredictability and chaos of the White House at this time,” said Joly. “He wants to weaken us and once we have weakened us, we can try Annexar Canada. He has said this in the past. “
In an interview on Wednesday with Bloomberg Television, Lutnick said: “There will be tariffs. Let’s be clear. “But he also said that the president was considering offering relief to some market sections until April 2.
On April 2, Trump plans to announce what he calls “reciprocal” tariffs so that they coincide with tariffs, taxes and subsidies in other countries. That could drastically increase tariff rates collected worldwide while maintaining the risk of broader tariffs.
If the rates are not eliminated, Ford They told the AP, the US and Canadian automotive industries will last approximately 10 days before they begin to close the assembly lines in the United States and Ontario.
“People are going to lose their jobs,” Ford said.
Lutnick said he would speak with Trump on Wednesday about possible options regarding Canada and Mexico, saying that both countries are working to address the concerns of the United States president about drug trafficking.
Nelson Wiseman, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, said Trudeau described the “very silly” rates at a press conference on Tuesday and said that Trudeau’s difficult talk resonated well with the Canadians.
“Canada had an option: to go along with Lutnick’s proposal or reject it. The government opted for the latter, but that can be a negotiating ploy. He is playing well with the Canadians. They are very angry with Trump, ”said Wiseman.
Peter NavarroA Trump Senior Commercial Advisor, who said he saw the Trudeau press conference, told CNN on Wednesday that it would be useful if the prime minister “attenuated things.”
But Daniel Béland, a professor of political science at McGill University in Montreal, said Trudeau’s comments probably intended to project strength.
“Trump thrives in intimidation, and any sign of weakness on the part of Canada could help to pave the way for greater economic harassment. That is why the prime minister shows resolution, at least in public, “said Béland.
Minnesota government. Tim Walz He said he spoke with the prime ministers of Manitoba and Ontario, calling him an “unnecessary and expensive commercial war.”
“While the president cannot assess associations that contribute billions of dollars to our economy, Minnesota does it,” Walz published on social networks.
