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On Sunday, 2 February, US President Donald Trump said that Americans may feel economic pressure due to the imposed duties, but this is part of a strategy to restore “America’s greatness”. This is reported by AP News.
“Pain, but for the good of America”
“Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (or maybe not!). But it will help make America great again, and the price to pay will be worth it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Threats to Canada: “The 51st state”
In the same post, Trump again escalated his rhetoric against Canada, claiming that the country receives excessive subsidies from the United States.
“We pay hundreds of billions of dollars to subsidise Canada. Why? There’s no reason,” the American leader wrote, hinting that Canada could become the “51st state” of the United States.
The trade war is gaining momentum
New US duties on imports from Canada, Mexico and China (25% for the first two and 10% for China) were introduced on Saturday, 1 February. They do not apply to energy products from Canada, but they have already provoked a tough response.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced mirror measures in response – 25% duties on a number of American goods. He also warned that Trump’s policies would hurt Americans themselves.
