Trudeau slams Trump tariffs as 'very dumb,' vows immediate retaliation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau forcefully condemned US President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian imports on Tuesday, calling them "a very dumb thing to do" and announcing immediate retaliatory measures against Washington.

Speaking just hours after Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on both Mexico and Canada, Trudeau unveiled a 25% tariff on C$30 billion worth of US goods. He warned that if necessary, an additional C$125 billion in tariffs would follow within three weeks.

"There is absolutely no justification or need whatsoever for these tariffs," Trudeau told reporters, adding that Canada would challenge them both through the World Trade Organization and under the terms of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

"Canadians are reasonable and polite, but we will not back down from a fight—not when our country and the well-being of everyone in it is at stake," he declared.

Tensions rise as Trump pushes trade war

Trump defended the tariffs by accusing Canada of failing to curb the flow of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the US—an argument Trudeau dismissed as "completely bogus, completely unjustified, completely false."

Relations between the two leaders, already strained, have deteriorated further in recent months. Trump has repeatedly mocked Canada's sovereignty, at times suggesting it should become the 51st US state.

"We have to acknowledge what he's said repeatedly: that he wants to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy because that would make it easier to annex us," Trudeau warned, cautioning Canadians to brace for economic hardship.

With 75% of Canadian exports heading to the US, economists fear a deep recession if the tariffs remain in place. However, Trudeau argued that Americans would suffer as well, given the tight economic ties between the two nations. He cited a Wall Street Journal editorial from January, which had warned that Trump was about to launch "the dumbest trade war in history."

"It's not often that I agree with the Wall Street Journal, but Donald, they point out that even though you're a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do," Trudeau remarked.

Canada fights back with economic and symbolic measures

Trudeau announced that his government would provide expanded employment insurance benefits and direct support to businesses affected by the tariffs. He also hinted at further countermeasures, including potential restrictions on crude oil and potash exports to the US.

Meanwhile, Canada's two most populous provinces, Ontario and Quebec, have begun removing US alcohol from provincially run liquor stores.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that if the tariffs persist, his province will impose a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.

"We need to make sure America feels the pain," Ford said.

Tensions have spilled over into Canadian sports culture, with fans booing US teams during games. Trudeau acknowledged the backlash but sought to clarify its intent.

"We're choosing to support Canadian products and avoid bourbon and other classic American goods," he said. "And yes, we’ll probably keep booing the American anthem. But let me be clear—we’re not booing Americans, their teams, or their players. We're booing a policy designed to hurt us. And we’re insulted, we’re angry… we’re going to fight, and we’re going to win."