- विज्ञापन -
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau characterized his recent conversation with President-elect Donald Trump as “good,” despite Trump’s threat to implement a 25% tariff on Canadian goods upon his inauguration. During a press briefing, Trudeau emphasized the importance of the strong economic ties between Canada and the U.S., noting their ongoing collaboration on various challenges.
Trudeau acknowledged the complexities of the Canada-U.S. relationship but expressed optimism about future cooperation, stating that diplomatic efforts must continue. The call took place after Trump announced the tariff on his social media platform.
Officials in Canada, including Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario, expressed serious concerns regarding the proposed tariffs, labeling them potentially “devastating” to both Canadian and American workers. Trudeau is scheduled to meet with provincial and territorial leaders to discuss strategies for addressing the tariffs and safeguarding their economic relationship, which saw Canadian exports to the U.S. reach approximately $437 billion in 2022.
The proposed tariffs also include similar measures for Mexico and a 10% levy on Chinese imports, reflecting Trump’s goal of strengthening border security and addressing illegal immigration. Trudeau communicated the low number of migrants crossing from Canada compared to the U.S.-Mexico border during the call.
Canadian ministers stressed the high priority of maintaining a secure and efficient border, noting that a significant portion of U.S. energy imports comes from Canada. Despite the tariffs threatening to disrupt the North American trading framework established under NAFTA, both Trudeau and Ford called for a collaborative response to address border security issues.
Tom Homan, appointed by Trump as a border enforcement leader, described the Canadian border as a significant national security concern. Recent incidents and trials have shed light on smuggling operations from Canada into the U.S. Canada’s Immigration Minister Mark Miller reiterated the shared responsibility of managing the border effectively and hinted at plans to bolster resources for enhanced patrol efforts.
