Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has issued a stark warning following Donald Trump’s decision to raise trade tariffs, criticizing the U.S. president for his aggressive economic policies.
Trump had initially threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian metal imports but pulled back slightly after international backlash. Instead, he has implemented a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, in addition to raising tariffs on Chinese goods and slapping a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports worldwide.
Global Frustration Over U.S. Trade Policies
The move has sparked anger among global leaders, particularly as Trump has also floated the idea of a massive 200% tariff on EU alcohol, a move that could severely impact European trade.
While some leaders, like UK trade chief William Bain, have urged businesses to “keep calm and carry on exporting,” Canada has taken a much stronger stance, per a LadBible interview.
Canada’s Response: ‘If They Can Do This to Us, Nobody Is Safe’
Joly, speaking in Ottawa, did not hold back in her criticism of the U.S. president’s trade policies.
“If the U.S. can do this to us, their closest friend, then nobody is safe,” she warned, according to Politico.
She slammed Trump’s justification for the tariffs as “exaggerated” and baseless, adding: “We have done nothing to justify Trump’s attacks on our country, on our economy, and our identity. Canada is your best friend, best neighbor, and best ally.”
She further criticized the rationale behind the tariffs, stating: “The excuse for the first round was exaggerated claims about our border. We addressed all the concerns raised by the U.S. The latest excuse is ‘national security,’ despite the fact that Canada’s steel and aluminum actually contribute to America’s security.”
U.S.-Canada Relations at a Low
Tensions between the two nations have worsened, especially after Trump suggested annexing Canada and making it the 51st U.S. state.
While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to downplay the statement—claiming Trump meant it in an “economic” sense—he added fuel to the fire by implying it would allow the U.S. to better manage border security and the fentanyl crisis.
Joly, however, made it clear that Canada will not be intimidated. “Yesterday, he called our border a fictional line and repeated his disrespectful 51st state rhetoric,” she said. “Well, Canadians have made it very clear that we will not back down, and we will not give in to this coercion.”
As tensions escalate in what has been called an “unjustifiable trade war”, Canada is standing firm against Trump’s economic pressure.
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