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Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, which will come into effect on Tuesday. Chrystia Freeland, who is running to replace Justin Trudeau as PM, dubbed Trump’s move as “utter madness”.
US, Canada engage in trade war (AP File Image)
Former Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is in the race to replace Justin Trudeau as the Prime Minister, has slammed Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on their goods, calling the move “utter madness” and a “betrayal of America’s closes friend and your best partner in the whole world”.
She termed Trump’s actions an “attack” on Canada’s sovereignty and claimed that the Americans would be “astonished by the Canadian response”.
“It is an act of economic warfare, and the President was clear that it was an attack on our sovereignty. Americans have to understand how hurt and, frankly, how furious Canadians are. We are strong and smart and we will fight for Canada. Canada is the largest market for the US,” Freeland told CNN.
Freeland, who stepped down as Canada’s minister in December last year after a policy clash with Trudeau, has time and again lashed out at Trump after his announcement to impose tariffs on Canada.
Freeland sought to remind the US about the trade both the countries share with each other and said that the “US depends on Canada a lot”.
“Mostly to say to our American neighbours, guys just cut it out. Just stop it, this is a terrible idea. And yes, we are going to use all the tools in our toolbox. You depend on us a lot and we are happy to work together. But it’s got to be a two-way street,” she told CNN.
Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 10% on Chinese products. He signed an order in this regard, which will come into effect on Tuesday. Canada has also retaliated with 25% tariffs on the US, a move that officially kicked off a trade war between the two neighbours and allies.
