Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the media at Canada House in London on Sunday, March 2, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Canada is hitting back after U.S. President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on Canadian goods officially took effect. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will impose its own 25% tariffs on American imports worth $155 billion starting immediately.
“This unfair decision won’t go unchallenged,” Trudeau declared Monday night. “If the U.S. enforces tariffs tonight, Canada will respond at 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow with equal force.”
Trudeau made it clear that these countermeasures will remain until the U.S. reverses its trade actions. He also hinted at additional strategies, working closely with provincial and territorial governments to mitigate the economic impact.
Canada’s Two-Phase Tariff Plan
The retaliation will happen in two waves. The first, already in motion, targets $30 billion worth of American goods. The second round—set to begin three weeks later—will slap tariffs on an additional $125 billion worth of imports after a brief public consultation period.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly reinforced Canada’s stance, calling Trump’s trade move an “existential threat.” Speaking to reporters Monday, she stated, “We are fully prepared.”
Trump’s Crackdown on Canadian Trade
Trump first threatened the 25% tariffs in November, citing concerns over illegal migration and drug trafficking from Canada. In February, he delayed the tariffs for a month after Trudeau pledged $1.3 billion for border security measures, including drones, surveillance tools, extra personnel, and a fentanyl crackdown. Despite these efforts, Trump confirmed Monday that negotiations were over. “They’re all set,” he said. “The tariffs begin tomorrow.”
Joly remains confident in Canada’s efforts. “We’ve done the work. We’ve answered their concerns,” she said, noting that less than 1% of fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border originates from Canada.
Meanwhile, Trump has more tariffs lined up, including a 25% hike on steel and aluminum from March 12, with additional trade penalties planned for the coming months. National Defence Minister Bill Blair acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “This will hurt both Canadians and Americans alike.”
Ontario Premier Ready to Pull the Plug
Ontario Premier Doug Ford isn’t holding back either. As chair of the Council of the Federation, he vowed to strike where it hurts. He threatened to cut off Ontario’s electricity exports to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota, remove American alcohol from liquor store shelves, and revoke contracts with U.S. firms.
“If Trump wants to cripple our economy, I’ll do the same to his,” Ford said on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I’ll shut off the power going south. And I mean it.”
Ford, fresh off a third election victory, warned that the tariffs could push both economies into a nosedive. “This will be a disaster,” he added, revealing that many U.S. lawmakers privately agree Trump’s tariffs are a reckless move.
