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Canada Strikes Back: Trudeau Responds to Trump’s Tariffs with Retaliatory Measures
Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a significant escalation of trade tensions, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Saturday night that his government would impose a 25% tariff on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods in direct response to President Donald Trump’s decision to enact tariffs on Canadian exports. This announcement, first reported by NBC News, highlights the deepening rift between two of the world’s largest trading partners.
NBC News reported that Trump, in an executive order signed earlier Saturday, imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, excluding Canadian energy products, which will instead face a 10% tariff. Additionally, Trump levied a 10% tariff on goods imported from China, marking another aggressive trade maneuver from the White House. Trudeau’s retaliatory measures, detailed during a press conference that evening, were designed to mirror the scope and impact of Trump’s tariffs on Canada, reinforcing that his government would not back down from economic pressure.
Trudeau outlined that $30 billion worth of American goods will be subject to immediate tariffs starting Tuesday, the same day that U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports take effect, as was reported by NBC News. The remaining tariffs, he explained, will be gradually rolled out over three weeks, giving Canadian businesses time to adjust their supply chains and identify alternative trade partners. “Like the American tariffs, our response will also be far-reaching,” Trudeau stated, emphasizing that American beer, wine, bourbon, fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, perfume, clothing, and shoes would be among the affected goods. He also highlighted major consumer products such as household appliances, furniture, and sports equipment, along with key industrial materials like lumber and plastics.
Canada may not be the only country responding with trade countermeasures. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in a post to X (formerly Twitter), announced that she had directed her Secretary of the Economy to implement “Plan B,” a series of tariff and non-tariff measures aimed at defending Mexico’s economic interests, the NBC News report indicated. Sheinbaum’s strong response reflects growing frustration in Mexico over what she described as the White House’s “slander” of the Mexican government, particularly accusations of collaborations with criminal organizations.
In her remarks, Sheinbaum rebuked the U.S. for attempting to dictate policy to Mexico, stating in Spanish, “Coordination, yes; subordination, no.” She further insisted that Mexico does not condone the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States or any other nation, a topic that has been a major point of contention between the two governments. As per the information provided in the NBC News report, Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico wants to combat drug trafficking in partnership with the U.S., but only under principles of mutual respect and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, China’s response to Trump’s latest tariff decision remains unclear. NBC News reported that neither the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., nor the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately commented on the development. However, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, had stated earlier in the week that China has actively engaged with U.S. authorities on countering fentanyl trafficking and supports the United States in its efforts “in the spirit of humanity and goodwill.” This suggests that Beijing may seek to negotiate with Washington rather than engage in immediate economic retaliation.
As North America’s top economies brace for the impact of reciprocal tariffs, analysts warn of potential price hikes on consumer goods, economic instability, and uncertainty in global markets. With both Canada and Mexico signaling strong resistance, Trump’s move has triggered a continental trade war whose consequences will be felt in boardrooms, businesses, and households alike.
Trump’s executive order, signed over the weekend, fulfills a campaign promise to impose broad tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. In a post to Truth Social, the former president defended his decision, citing concerns over “the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl.” However, as the NBC News report noted, data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows that most fentanyl seized in the United States enters through the southern border, not the northern border with Canada. This discrepancy has led to intensified criticism of Trump’s justification for targeting Canadian imports.
The ripple effects of these tariffs could destabilize North American trade, considering that Canada and Mexico remain two of the U.S.’s most critical trade partners, as highlighted by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and NBC News. The U.S. relies heavily on imports from both nations, and economic analysts are already warning of rising prices on essential goods like food, electronics, and automobiles.
China, Mexico, and Canada represent the top three sources of U.S. imports. Trump’s new tariffs are an expansion of his previous economic strategy, which in his first term led to a heated trade war with China. The latest round of tariffs against Beijing could see a repeat of that conflict, potentially straining not just economic relations but also national security partnerships and health collaborations, as warned by economic experts interviewed by NBC News.
While the Chinese government has yet to officially respond, NBC News reported that China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, acknowledged that past collaborations between the two nations on counternarcotics were beneficial, adding that China hopes the U.S. will continue to work in that spirit. “The achievements we have made are there for all to see,” Mao stated, according to a Chinese government transcript, further urging the U.S. to maintain “the hard-won positive dynamics in the counternarcotics cooperation.”
However, if China retaliates with its own tariffs, as it did during Trump’s first term, it could exacerbate global economic instability. NBC News analysts have suggested that a prolonged trade war would impact everything from global supply chains to stock markets and foreign policy initiatives. The tariffs could also complicate diplomatic efforts on health crises, security threats, and environmental agreements, areas where the U.S. and China have previously worked together despite economic disputes.
Trump’s economic nationalist approach—which includes a 20% blanket tariff on imports and a 60% tariff on Chinese goods, as promised during his campaign—has drawn both support and criticism. Proponents argue that such measures protect American manufacturing and jobs, while opponents, including economists cited by NBC News, warn that the costs will be passed directly to consumers and businesses, leading to higher inflation and supply chain disruptions.
With the situation rapidly evolving, the NBC News report suggested that this new trade war could have far-reaching consequences beyond just tariffs. The stakes are particularly high for automobile manufacturers, tech companies, and agricultural exporters, all of whom rely on stable trade agreements with Canada, Mexico, and China.

