Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday branded American tariffs "very dumb" and said that U.S. President Donald Trump is appeasing Russia while beginning a trade war against Canada.
In a blunt news conference during his final days in power, Trudeau said that Canada would put retaliatory taxes on more than $100 billion of American goods in response to Trump's 25% tariffs.
"Today the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend. At the same time, they are talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense," a visibly angry Trudeau said.
Trump put tariffs on Washington's three largest trading partners, prompting quick reaction from Mexico, Canada, and China and causing global markets to plummet. Just after midnight, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, while he reduced the levy to 10% on Canadian energy, AP reported.
"What he wants to see is a total collapse of the Canadian economy because that will make it easier to annex us," Trudeau said. "That is never going to happen. We will never be the 51st state."
Trudeau addressed Trump directly by his first name.
"I want to speak directly to one specific American, Donald," Trudeau said. "It's not in my habit to 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."
Later Tuesday, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated the US would likely meet Canada and Mexico "in the middle," with an announcement expected as early as Wednesday.
Lutnick told Fox Business News that tariffs would not be delayed, but that Trump would strike a compromise, AP reported.
"I think he's going to figure out, you do more, and I'll meet you in the middle in some way," Lutnick said.
In a post on Truth Social earlier Tuesday, Trump said: "Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the U.S., our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!"
Trump has threatened Canada's sovereignty, inciting outrage across the country. Canadian hockey fans have begun booing the American national anthem during recent NHL and NBA games. Trudeau expressed the betrayal that many Canadians are feeling.
"Canadians are hurt. Canadians are angry. We are going to choose to not go on vacation in Florida," Trudeau said. "We are going to choose to try and buy Canadian products ... and yeah we're probably going to keep booing the American anthem."
The premier of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, has stated that he will impose a 25% export tax on energy sent to the United States and may eventually eliminate it entirely if American tariffs persist. In the United States, Ontario will power 1.5 million homes in Michigan, New York, and Minnesota in 2023.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also informed The Associated Press that he will halt selling nickel and rare minerals to the United States.
Ontario and other governments have already started taking American liquor brands off government shop shelves. Every year, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario sells roughly 1 billion Canadian dollars ($687 million) of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers.