Canada prepares to face Donald Trump’s trade threats
On Monday, hours after taking office for the second time, Donald Trump said tersely that his desire to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports could become a reality on February 1. Trump had stated in November that such a tariff charge would take effect on the first day of his return to the White House. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been preparing for weeks for this scenario of trade friction, despite the fact that the Liberal politician will leave office on March 9. On Tuesday, Trudeau promised a “robust, swift and measured” response from Canada in case Trump makes good on his promise. But this Thursday the Republican was back on the attack in his speech at the Davos Economic Forum: “We have a tremendous deficit with Canada. We’re not going to have that anymore. We can’t do that.” Trump added that the U.S. economy does not need its northern neighbor.
