Canada and Mexico hit back with tariffs as US trade war escalates

Justin Trudeauprime Minister

Tariffs violate a free trade agreement that was negotiated a few years ago. Tariffs will have real consequences for the American people. This will include immediate tariffs on C$30 billion worth of goods as of Tuesday. This will be followed by further tariffs on C$125 billion worth of American products in 21 days time,

said Trudeau at a press conference

We categorically reject the White House's slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory,

she wrote

We’re not looking to escalate, but we will stand up for Canada, for Canadians, for Canadian jobs,

he said

Mexico not only does not want fentanyl to reach the United States, but anywhere. Therefore, if the United States wants to combat criminal groups that traffic drugs and generate violence, we must work together in an integrated manner,

she said

These tariffs will be devastating for American consumers,

congressman Greg Stanton, an Arizona Democrat, and some 40 colleagues wrote in a Saturday letter

Justin Trudeauprime Minister

We don’t want to be here,

Mr Trudeau said in a sombre televised address from Ottawa, Ontario, that evoked the deep bonds between the two neighbours and close trading partners

Fentanyl is America’s problem,

China’s foreign ministry said

This is a choice that, yes, will harm Canadians, but beyond that, it will have real consequences for you, the American people,

he said

We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all."

Trump, in Florida for the weekend, wrote on social media

Tariffs are a powerful, proven source of leverage for protecting the national interest,

the White House said

Rising trade policy uncertainty will heighten financial market volatility and strain the private sector, despite the administration's pro-business rhetoric,

he said

We'll be announcing the tariffs on Canada and Mexico for a number of reasons,

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office

The fentanyl coming through Canada is massive,

Trump told reporters the day after his inauguration

Justin Trudeauprime Minister

Our nation could be facing difficult times in the coming days and weeks,

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said ... in response to the Trump decision

While Mexico and China are the primary source countries for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the United States, India is emerging as a source for finished fentanyl powder and fentanyl precursor chemicals,

it reads

We don’t think [the tariffs] will happen. And if they do, we have our plan,

Sheinbaum said on Wednesday

The reality is that a large, uncontrolled bully is using his position as the most powerful political leader in the world, to put pressure on a whole range of allies,

said Lawrence Herman, an international trade lawyer and senior fellow at the CD Howe Institute

We don’t have a lot of good historical examples where we’ve had tariff shocks of this magnitude,

Tiff Macklem, Bank of Canada governor, told reporters earlier this week

People are worried here, and there is a sense of uncertainty – which is what Donald Trump seeks to create,

said Kenneth Smith Ramos, Mexico’s former chief negotiator during talks over the USMCA free trade deal, struck between the US, Mexico and Canada during the first Trump administration

Repairing the long-standing relationship will be very, very difficult. It will depend on good will on the US side and Trump has dissipated most of that good will,

he said