Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has agreed to meet with provincial and territorial officials after President Donald Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on Canadian goods.
The next U.S. president announced Monday night, his first day back in the White House, that he would impose a 25% tax on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Tuesday morning that he plans to meet with Canadian prime ministers “this week” to discuss how to approach the Canada-U.S. relationship.
“We know this relationship requires some work, and we intend to do that,” Trudeau said before meeting with cabinet members.
“One of the things that’s really important is that we all work together on this issue. A Team Canada approach will work.”
The prime ministers sent a letter to Trudeau on Monday ahead of the latest tariff threat, asking for an emergency meeting to discuss Ottawa’s approach to the next government.
In a post on his platform Truth Social, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Canada and Mexico will impose 25% tariffs on all goods until both countries stop the “invasion” of illegal immigrants and drugs crossing the United States. threatened to impose charges. border.
“It is important that we seize this opportunity to act now and work together to grow and strengthen our historic partnership with the United States as we welcome the next U.S. administration,” the prime minister’s letter said. .
Forecasters are trying to predict how a second term for President Trump will affect Canada’s economy. Various estimates put the potential damage to Canada at anything from less than half a percentage point of GDP to a catastrophic 5%.
