Trudeau: Trump tariffs on Canada ‘dumb’

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed President Trump’s tariffs on his country, reiterating a message from The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board that the taxation plan was “dumb.”

“Now, I want to speak directly to one specific American,” Trudeau said Tuesday in an address. “Donald, in the over eight years you and I have worked together, we’ve done big things. We signed a historic deal that has created record jobs and growth in both of our countries. We’ve done big things together on the world stage, as Canada and the U.S. have done together for decades, for generations. And now, we should be working together to ensure even greater prosperity for North Americans in a very uncertain and challenging world.”

Trudeau then highlighted a recent op-ed from the Journal’s editorial board that said Trump’s tariff plan was the “dumbest tariff plunge” that is hurting the country’s friends.

“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,” Trudeau said.

The Prime Minister urged the U.S. president to see that the neighboring, allied countries fighting is exactly what international adversaries want to see.

Trudeau then addressed his fellow Canadians, who will experience economic disruption as the flow of goods between countries will spike prices.

“I won’t sugarcoat it, this is going to be tough, even though we’re all going to pull together because that’s what we do,” he said. “We will use every tool at our disposal so Canadian workers and businesses can weather this storm.”

Trudeau promised that the Canadian government will protect its citizens and Canadian businesses from attacks and takeovers from the tariffs.

“We will stand up for Canadians every single second of every single day, because this country is worth fighting for,” he said.

Speaking directly to the American people, Trudeau warned that prices would rise because of the Trump administration's actions and said there is "absolutely" no need or justification for the tariffs on allies.

“We don’t want this. We want to work with you as a friend and ally, and we don’t want to see you hurt either, but your government has chosen to do this to you,” he said, later adding, “They have chosen to launch a trade war that will, first and foremost, harm American families.”

Trump responded to Trudeau in a post on the president's Truth Social site, using his familiar nickname suggesting that the prime minister would be Canada's "governor" if the country is acquired by the U.S.

"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 said.

Trump last month signed off on reciprocal tariffs for any country that planned to put its own on the U.S.

Updated at 1:03 p.m. EST

Topics

Canada's Trudeau calls Trump tariffs "a very dumb thing to do"

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed President Trump's tariffs against Canada on Tuesday, saying they are "a very dumb thing to do." Following Trudeau's remarks, CBS News MoneyWatch ...
CBS News - 4h
Trudeau calls Trump tariffs on Canada ‘a very dumb thing to do’ – live

Trudeau also says that he doesn’t believe Trump’s insistence that tariffs were imposed in retaliation for Canada’s failure to combat fentanyl trafficking. US consumers warned to brace for higher ...
The Guardian - 1h
Trudeau condemns ‘dumb’ Trump trade war as Canada strikes back with tariffs

Canada’s prime minister says the US president wants to usher in the ‘complete collapse’ of the Canadian economy. Justin Trudeau has claimed the aim of a “dumb” trade war launched by Donald ...
The Guardian - 2h
'This is a very dumb thing to do': Trudeau slams Trump's tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau spoke out about President Trump's tariffs and his country's retaliatory tariffs. NBC News' Garrett Haake reports more. Princeton University Distinguished Professor ...
NBC News - 4h
Live Updates: Trudeau, Condemning Trump’s Tariffs, Pledges to ‘Relentlessly Fight’ to Protect Canada’s Economy

Global markets fell after stiff U.S. tariffs went into effect at midnight, and China and Canada immediately imposed retaliatory measures. Mexico said it would announce its response on Sunday.
The New York Times - 10m
Trudeau slams Trump's tariffs as stocks plunge

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling out President Trump's tariffs levied. This comes as the stock markets show signs of panic among investors over the tariffs. CBS News' Lana Zak has ...
CBS News - 2h
Trudeau Uses Canada’s Hockey Win Over U.S. to Send a Message to Trump

Canada beat the U.S. in a championship game with added meaning because of political tensions caused by President Trump’s taunts and economic threats.
The New York Times - Feb. 21
Trudeau trolls Trump after Canada bests USA at hockey

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a jab at President Trump after Canada's victory over the United States in an international hockey tournament.
ABC News - Feb. 21