Trudeau Attributes Trump's '51st state' Remarks to Distracting from Tariffs and Canada's Retaliation Plans
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has indicated his willingness to implement tariffs on American goods in response to ongoing trade issues.
TroibNews 
President-elect Donald Trump’s comments about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state are diverting attention from the economic consequences a trade war could pose for American workers and businesses, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on Sunday.
In an interview with Jen Psaki on MSNBC, Trudeau expressed his readiness to respond vigorously if Trump follows through on his Day 1 promise to implement a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods.
“As we did last time, we are ready to respond with tariffs as necessary,” Trudeau remarked during "Inside with Jen Psaki," marking one of his first sit-down interviews with American television since announcing his decision to step down as Liberal leader, although he will remain in office until March.
Back in 2018, Canada imposed reciprocal tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum as a reaction to the Trump administration's tariffs during NAFTA negotiations.
Trudeau is anticipated to solidify Canada’s retaliatory strategy this week during a meeting with the country’s 13 premiers on Wednesday. Additionally, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is scheduled to visit Washington that day to share details of the plan with the incoming Trump administration.
Trump has been taunting Canada following his earlier threat in November to impose tariffs if the country does not address the issues of fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration across their shared border.
In response, Trudeau’s government has proposed a one billion dollar initiative to enhance border security, a plan already communicated to the incoming Trump administration.
“I was pleased to highlight that less than 1 percent of the illegal migrants, less than 1 percent of the fentanyl that comes into the United States comes from Canada,” Trudeau explained during his November visit to Mar-a-Lago, where he dined with Trump. “So we're not a problem.”
Furthermore, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and British Columbia Premier David Eby have indicated they are prepared to cut off electricity supplies to the U.S. in retaliation for widespread tariffs.
Trudeau also noted that imposing a 25 percent tariff could raise energy costs for American households, given that Canada exports electricity to the U.S., including to the West Coast.
“No American wants to pay 25 percent more for electricity or oil and gas coming in from Canada,” Trudeau stated.
“And that's something that I think people need to pay a little more attention to. And perhaps the idea of a 51st state is distracting a little bit from a very real question that will increase the cost of living for Americans and harm a trading relationship that works extremely well.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who leads the province known for its oil resources, visited Mar-a-Lago over the weekend and indicated that she had spoken with Trump on two occasions.
“We had a friendly and constructive conversation during which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S.-Canadian energy relationship, and specifically, how hundreds of thousands of American jobs are supported by energy exports from Alberta,” Smith said in a statement shared on X.
“I was also able to have similar discussions with several key allies of the incoming administration and was encouraged to hear their support for a strong energy and security relationship with Canada.”
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
In an interview with Jen Psaki on MSNBC, Trudeau expressed his readiness to respond vigorously if Trump follows through on his Day 1 promise to implement a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods.
“As we did last time, we are ready to respond with tariffs as necessary,” Trudeau remarked during "Inside with Jen Psaki," marking one of his first sit-down interviews with American television since announcing his decision to step down as Liberal leader, although he will remain in office until March.
Back in 2018, Canada imposed reciprocal tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum as a reaction to the Trump administration's tariffs during NAFTA negotiations.
Trudeau is anticipated to solidify Canada’s retaliatory strategy this week during a meeting with the country’s 13 premiers on Wednesday. Additionally, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is scheduled to visit Washington that day to share details of the plan with the incoming Trump administration.
Trump has been taunting Canada following his earlier threat in November to impose tariffs if the country does not address the issues of fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration across their shared border.
In response, Trudeau’s government has proposed a one billion dollar initiative to enhance border security, a plan already communicated to the incoming Trump administration.
“I was pleased to highlight that less than 1 percent of the illegal migrants, less than 1 percent of the fentanyl that comes into the United States comes from Canada,” Trudeau explained during his November visit to Mar-a-Lago, where he dined with Trump. “So we're not a problem.”
Furthermore, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and British Columbia Premier David Eby have indicated they are prepared to cut off electricity supplies to the U.S. in retaliation for widespread tariffs.
Trudeau also noted that imposing a 25 percent tariff could raise energy costs for American households, given that Canada exports electricity to the U.S., including to the West Coast.
“No American wants to pay 25 percent more for electricity or oil and gas coming in from Canada,” Trudeau stated.
“And that's something that I think people need to pay a little more attention to. And perhaps the idea of a 51st state is distracting a little bit from a very real question that will increase the cost of living for Americans and harm a trading relationship that works extremely well.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who leads the province known for its oil resources, visited Mar-a-Lago over the weekend and indicated that she had spoken with Trump on two occasions.
“We had a friendly and constructive conversation during which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S.-Canadian energy relationship, and specifically, how hundreds of thousands of American jobs are supported by energy exports from Alberta,” Smith said in a statement shared on X.
“I was also able to have similar discussions with several key allies of the incoming administration and was encouraged to hear their support for a strong energy and security relationship with Canada.”
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
