Canada and U.S. Engage in Ongoing Trade War Amid Hostile Remarks

OTTAWA, Canada – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on March 6 that Canada will remain embroiled in a trade war with the United States for the foreseeable future due to tariffs imposed by Washington. His remarks came shortly before U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called him a “numbskull” during a public event.

Speaking to reporters in the Canadian capital, Trudeau stated that Canada will continue engaging with Trump administration officials to discuss tariffs the U.S. plans to impose on Canadian imports. He emphasized his goal of having these measures lifted. “I can confirm that we will continue to be in a trade war that was launched by the United States for the foreseeable future,” Trudeau said.

In retaliation for U.S. tariffs, Canada has imposed a 25% duty on C$30 billion worth of American imports. Trudeau noted that these tariffs will remain in effect until the U.S. government reverses its trade actions.

Bessent expressed the administration’s frustration, stating, “If you want to be a numbskull like Justin Trudeau and say, ‘Oh, we’re going to do this,’ then tariffs are going to go up.” A Canadian government source mentioned that Washington’s irritation was due to Canada’s retaliatory measures.

The tensions between Trudeau and President Donald Trump have been escalating, particularly as Trump accuses Canada of not doing enough to curb the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants into the U.S. The two leaders talked for about 50 minutes on Wednesday, with Trudeau describing the conversation as both “colorful” and “substantive.” He indicated that the discussions are ongoing but without any immediate resolutions.

Trudeau added, “We are trying to ensure that these tariffs don’t overly harm, certainly in the short term, certain sectors.” One significant topic of negotiation is Canada’s possible delay of a second wave of 25% tariffs on an additional C$125 billion worth of U.S. imports, which are set to take effect soon.

In a related development, the White House announced that Trump would grant a one-month exemption for automakers from tariffs on goods in compliance with existing free trade rules, specifically for Canada and Mexico. “Any carve-outs that support any workers in Canada, even if it’s just one industry or another, are going to be a good thing,” Trudeau stated.

As Trudeau prepares to step down following the Liberal Party’s selection of a new leader, he took the opportunity to comment on his fraught relations with Trump. He stressed that a win-lose dynamic in trade negotiations would ultimately be detrimental to both nations. “A win-lose between us would actually be worse for them than a win-win. That’s true in international trade and relations between nation-states,” he said.

The current trade conflict reflects deepening divisions and complicates relations between the two neighboring countries. Canadian politicians have voiced feelings of nationalistic pride in response to U.S. tariffs, with many Canadians choosing to support local products over American imports.

Trudeau concluded, affirming Canada’s stance against the tariffs: “We will not suspend Canadian tariffs because the Americans made a change yesterday. Our response tariffs will remain in place until such a time as the unjustified American tariffs on Canadian goods are lifted.”