Photo: Donald Trump/REUTERS
US President Donald Trump has threatened Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with further import tariffs in response to possible Canadian restrictions on US goods. On the evening of 4 March, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform:
“Explain to Canadian Governor Trudeau that if he imposes retaliatory duties against the US, our mirror tariffs will immediately increase by the same amount!”
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Trump has ironically called the head of the Canadian government “governor” as if Canada were an American state.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at a press conference in Ottawa, sharply criticising the actions of the United States, which imposed higher duties on Canadian goods.
“The United States has launched a trade war against its closest partner and ally. At the same time, they are talking about a positive dialogue with Russia, appeasing Putin, a lying dictator and murderer,” Trudeau said.
Addressing Trump, the Canadian prime minister did not hold back from making a sharp remark:
“Donald, although you are a very smart guy, this is stupid.”
Trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa continue to grow amid global instability, deteriorating US relations with allies, and the Trump administration’s simultaneous attempts to establish a dialogue with Moscow.
Analysts warn that an escalation of the customs war could hurt both economies and create new challenges for cooperation in the defence and energy sectors.
