Trudeau is making a bold claim.
In a recent interview, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s provocative comments about potentially annexing Canada. Trump had suggested that, in response to proposed tariffs on Canadian imports, he could use economic pressure to bring Canada under U.S. control. Trudeau dismissed this talk as a distraction, aiming to divert attention from the real issues, particularly the 25% tariffs Trump plans to impose on Canadian goods unless Ottawa agrees to tighten its border security.
Trudeau, a skilled politician himself, recognized the strategic maneuvering behind Trump’s words. “What I think is happening is that President Trump, who is a very savvy negotiator, is trying to shift the focus away from the damaging consequences of these tariffs,” Trudeau said in an interview with CNN. He emphasized the potential consequences of the proposed tariffs, which could significantly raise prices for American consumers on everyday products like oil, gas, steel, aluminum, lumber, and concrete—many of which are imported from Canada.
In response to Trump’s earlier comments that there was a “snowball’s chance in hell” that Canada would ever become part of the U.S., Trudeau made it clear that Canada would not stand idly by if the U.S. followed through on such threats. He reminded the public of Canada’s actions during a 2018 trade dispute when Canada retaliated by imposing tariffs on a variety of American goods, including Heinz ketchup, playing cards, bourbon, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles—items that directly impacted American workers.
While Trudeau noted that imposing such tariffs hurt both economies and led to higher prices for Canadians, he underscored that Canada would not hesitate to take similar countermeasures if the need arose. However, he reiterated that it was in both countries’ best interests to avoid escalating trade tensions and to work together as close partners, not adversaries.