Trudeau announces 25 per cent targeted retaliatory tariffs

By Canadian Press on February 1, 2025.

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will impose 25 per cent immediate retaliatory tariffs on American goods worth $30 billion starting Tuesday in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to slap Canada with devastating duties.

Trudeau says an additional $125 billion in duties on American products will follow in 21 days, allowing Canadian consumers and supply chains to find alternatives.

Trump signed an executive order on Saturday to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods, and a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy.

Trump’s executive action includes a retaliation clause, which means if the affected countries respond with duties on American products, the U.S. tariffs could increase.

In a post on X, which also announced tariffs against Mexico and China, the White House linked the duties to Trump’s demands that Canada crack down on fentanyl crossing its border.

The volume of drugs entering the United States from Canada is minuscule compared to the amounts coming from Mexico and China.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2025.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press