Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apparently panicked and made a hasty phone call after President-elect Donald Trump issued a strong threat to enact tariffs if Canada does not deal with border security.
On Monday, Trump issued a statement confirming that he would be slapping a 25% tariff on Mexico, China, and Canada over the influx of illegal aliens and drugs like fentanyl. The materials used to make fentanyl are often shipped to Mexico from China, where the drug is created and then shipped illegally into the U.S., where it killed roughly 81,083 people in 2023.
In the statement, Trump explained: “As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before. On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.”
“This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” he added. “Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”
🚨BREAKING: Trump will sign an immediate executive order on January 20th to charge China an additional 10% tariff on all of their products entering the United States. pic.twitter.com/QzGd1u3YKf
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) November 26, 2024
Just a few hours after that post, Trudeau reportedly called Trump to beg him not to impose any new tariffs on Canada.
According to Bloomberg News reporter Brian Platt: “Shortly after Trump’s post, Trudeau contacted Trump and the two leaders spoke by phone.”
He went on to note that, “According to a source, they talked border security and it was a ‘constructive call.’ Trudeau pointed out that the issues at the Canadian border are minuscule compared to the US/Mexico border.”
Shortly after Trump's post, Trudeau contacted Trump and the two leaders spoke by phone. According to a source, they talked border security and it was a "constructive call." Trudeau pointed out that the issues at the Canadian border are miniscule compared to the US/Mexico border. https://t.co/4YC7BcDsbG
— Brian Platt (@btaplatt) November 26, 2024
While speaking with a reporter, Trudeau described the discussion with Trump as “a good call.”
“Obviously we talked about relating on the facts. Talked about how the intense, effective connections within our capacities flow back and forth. We talked about some of the challenges that we can work on together. It was a good call,” he said, claiming that they discussed “laying out the facts and moving forward in constructive ways.”
Trudeau went on to describe the relationship between Canada and the United States as one that “takes a certain amount of working on” — adding that the Canadian federal government will be “pulling together” with each province on what he called the “Team Canada approach.”
“That’s where putting aside partisanship [is important]; that’s why I reached out to Doug Ford immediately and agreed to have a First Ministers meeting this week to talk about the United States. There’s work to do, but we know how to do it,” Trudeau continued.
JUST IN: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says he had a "good" call with Trump after the president-elect vowed to slap 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
The comment comes as Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum also scrambled to contact Trump.
Trudeau not only said the call was good… pic.twitter.com/oVlDp2B8ut
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 26, 2024
Trudeau wasn’t the only Canadian panicking about the potential tariffs, as numerous premiers also called on their prime minister to take immediate action to stop illegal immigration to prevent Trump’s tariffs.
“A 25 per cent tariff would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S. The federal government needs to take the situation at our border seriously. We need a Team Canada approach and response—and we need it now. Prime Minister Trudeau must call an urgent meeting with all premiers,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote in a post on X.
A 25 per cent tariff would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S.
The federal government needs to take the situation at our border seriously. We need a Team Canada approach and response—and we need it now. Prime Minister Trudeau must call an urgent…
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 26, 2024
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also posted on X about the issue, writing: “The incoming US @realDonaldTrump administration has valid concerns related to illegal activities at our shared border. We are calling on the federal government to work with the incoming administration to resolve these issues immediately, thereby avoiding any unnecessary tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S. Fortunately, the vast majority of Alberta’s energy exports to the U.S. are delivered through secure and safe pipelines which do not in any way contribute to these illegal activities at the border. As the largest exporter of oil and gas to the U.S., we look forward to working with the new administration to strengthen energy security for both the U.S. and Canada.”
The incoming US @realDonaldTrump administration has valid concerns related to illegal activities at our shared border. We are calling on the federal government to work with the incoming administration to resolve these issues immediately, thereby avoiding any unnecessary tariffs…
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) November 26, 2024
