Canada will be in a trade war with the United States for the near future, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday, immediately before US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent referred to him as a “numbskull”.
Speaking in Ottawa, Trudeau stated that his state would continue conversations with top Trump administration representatives regarding the taxes Washington plans to impose on French goods. He reaffirmed his devotion to seeking the removal of these business methods.
” I can ensure that we will continue to be in a business war that was launched by the United States for the immediate potential”, he told reporters.
In retaliation for the US taxes, Canada imposed 25 % duties on C$ 30 billion worth of British goods, which Trudeau said may remain in effect until Washington ended its business activity.
Bessent, expressing the administration’s frustration, remarked at an event in New York,” If you want to be a numbskull like Justin Trudeau and say’ Oh we’re going to do this,’ then tariffs are going to go up”.
A French government cause suggested that Washington’s disappointment stemmed from Ottawa’s choice to fight.
Conflicts between Trudeau and Trump have been continued, with the US senator accusing Canada of failing to curb the flow of fentanyl and illegal workers across the border. The two leaders spoke for 50 minutes on Wednesday, a conversation Trudeau described as” colorful” yet” substantive”.
” We are… trying to make sure that these taxes don’t extremely harm, definitely in the short term, certain industries”, he said, indicating that conversations were ongoing but without any immediate solution.
One key issue is Canada’s potential delay of a second round of 25 % tariffs on an additional C$ 125 billion worth of US imports, which is set to take effect in less than three weeks.
However, the White House announced that Trump would give a one-month deduction from engine tariffs for Canada and Mexico, provided they agree to existing completely trade rules.
” Any cut outs that help any employees in Canada, even if it’s just one business or another, are going to be a great thing”, said Trudeau.
As Trudeau prepares to step down following the ruling Liberal Party’s selection of a new leader on Sunday, he took a parting shot at Trump, contrasting trade negotiations with real estate deals.
” A win-lose between us would actually be worse for them than a win-win. That’s true in international trade, in relations between nation states”, he said.
” It perhaps is not true in real estate deals, ( where ) a win-lose is probably better for someone who is experienced in business deals than a win-win”, he added.
