Justin Trudeau expects trade war between Canada, US for the ‘foreseeable future’

Justin Trudeau said the two leaders discussed tariffs and that both sides are “actively engaged in ongoing conversations in trying to make sure these tariffs don't overly harm certain sectors and workers.”

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: March 6, 2025 10:27 PM IST

3 min read

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses a Canada-US economic summit in Toronto. (AP photo)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that he expects Canada and the US to remain in a trade war for the foreseeable future after what he described as a “colourful but constructive” call with US President Donald Trump this week.

Trudeau said the two leaders discussed tariffs and that both sides are “actively engaged in ongoing conversations in trying to make sure these tariffs don’t overly harm certain sectors and workers.”

He reiterated that Canada would not back down from its retaliatory tariffs until the US lifts its “unjustified” duties on Canadian goods.

Trump and Trudeau held a nearly 50-minute phone call on Wednesday, discussing fentanyl smuggling and trade. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Vice President JD Vance were also on the call, according to new agency Reuters.

Also read | ‘Very dumb thing to do’: Trudeau after US imposes 25% tariffs

CTV News later cited a source who claimed that the conversation became “heated” at times. While specific details were not disclosed, reports suggested the discussion largely focused on fentanyl smuggling and the upcoming elections in Canada.

Following the lengthy conversation, the American president shared details on his Truth Social platform, “Justin Trudeau, of Canada, called me to ask what could be done about Tariffs. I told him that many people have died from Fentanyl that came through the Borders of Canada and Mexico, and nothing has convinced me that it has stopped. He said that it’s gotten better, but I said, ‘That’s not good enough.’ The call ended in a ‘somewhat’ friendly manner!” Trump posted.

Accusing the Canadian leader of using the trade issue to stay in power, Trump wrote, “He (Trudeau) was unable to tell me when the Canadian election is taking place, which made me curious, like, what’s going on here? I then realized he is trying to use this issue to stay in power.”

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Trudeau, who has been Canada’s prime minister since 2015, announced in early January that he would step down. However, he will remain in office until a new leader of his Liberal Party is chosen.

Trump launched a new trade war on Tuesday by imposing tariffs on Washington’s three biggest trading partners, triggering immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada, and China and sending financial markets into turmoil.

He imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, though Canadian energy products were subject to a lower 10 per cent levy.

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