Canadian finance minister notes Trump tariff threat in resignation letter
Canada's finance minister noted President-elect Trump’s tariff threat in her resignation letter dated Monday.
“Our country today faces a grave challenge,” Chrystia Freeland said in a letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 per cent tariffs.”
“We need to take that threat extremely seriously,” she added. “That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.”
The president-elect said in posts on Truth Social last month that he would enact 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, while adding an extra 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods.
The aim of the tariffs, according to Trump, is to press the countries to increase their efforts on border security and combating fentanyl exports to the U.S.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!” Trump said on Truth Social.
Last week, Trump also mocked Trudeau as the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada” in a Truth Social post.
In her letter, Freeland argued for “pushing back against 'America First' economic nationalism with a determined effort to fight for capital and investment and the jobs they bring.”
“That means working in good faith and humility with the Premiers of the provinces and territories of our great and diverse country, and building a true Team Canada response,” she added.
The Hill has reached out to Trudeau’s office and the Trump transition team for comment.
-
Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland Resigns From Cabinet
Freeland cited conflict with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the direction of fiscal policy.The Wall Street Journal - 33m -
Canada’s finance minister Freeland resigns in blow to Trudeau
Senior Liberal blasts premier for ‘costly political gimmicks’ in face of Donald Trump’s tariff threatsFinancial Times - 5h -
Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigns as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau deals with declining popularity
Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigns as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau deals with declining popularityABC News - 7h -
Canada's finance minister resigns as Prime Minister Trudeau deals with declining popularity
Yahoo News - 7h -
For Trudeau, Trump’s tariff threat is a test
President-elect Donald Trump’s recent post announcing his plan to enact a 25 percent tariff on all goods coming into the United States has shaken the Canadian political establishment.The Hill - 5d -
Trump’s tariff threats could open the door to China
The elephant in the room is China, the other nation Trump has vowed to hit with tariffs.The Hill - Dec. 5 -
Colombia finance minister resigns amid corruption probe
Ricardo Bonilla, the second person to hold the post under President Gustavo Petro, will be replaced by his deputyFinancial Times - Dec. 5 -
Trudeau told Trump Americans would also suffer if tariffs are imposed, a Canadian minister says
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian productsABC News - Dec. 2 -
How the EU should deal with Trump’s tariff threat
Brussels must try to ensure its response to the US does not trample on trade rulesFinancial Times - Dec. 2
More from The Hill
-
Bill to officially make bald eagle national bird heads to Biden’s desk
The Hill - 19m -
Carper, Manchin say House Republicans 'walked away' from bipartisan energy talks
The Hill - 24m -
Live updates: Trump talks drones, vaccines as RFK Jr. kicks off Senate visits
The Hill - 1h -
Senate report accuses Amazon of manipulating worker injury data
The Hill - 1h -
TikTok asks Supreme Court to delay divest-or-ban law
The Hill - 1h