Listen Live

Trudeau slams Trump’s blanket tariffs as ‘a very dumb thing’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump today (Tuesday), condemning his blanket tariffs as “a very dumb thing.”

“It’s not in my habit to agree with the Wall Street Journal , but Donald, they point out that even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do,” Trudeau said at a news conference in Ottawa.

The comments come as Trump’s long-threatened 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods entering the United States took effect at 12:01 a.m.

Canada responded with its own tariffs, imposing an initial $30 billion in duties on U.S. goods, with a threat to add $125 billion in April.

The escalating trade war rattled financial markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 800 points, or 1.9 per cent. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also declined by almost 2 per cent, continuing the previous day’s losses.

Trudeau questioned whether the trade war’s alleged catalyst—illegal fentanyl crossing the border—is really at the root of the tariffs.

“I think what President Trump said yesterday, that there is nothing Canada or Mexico could do to avoid these tariffs, underlines very clearly what a lot of us have suspected for a long time: that these tariffs are not specifically about fentanyl, even though that is the legal justification he must use,” he said.

Trudeau acknowledged that a prolonged trade war would hurt Canada’s economy.

“To my fellow Canadians, I won’t sugarcoat it: this is going to be tough,” he said.


Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyGrandForksNow News Alerts.

John White
John White
John is the Director of News for Vista Radio. He has more than 32 years of experience in journalism, with an early eye cast to digital news innovations. He attends the Online News Association conference every year to learn about the cutting edge opportunities for his team to adopt and adapt.

Continue Reading

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Report makes six recommendations on event safety after Lapu Lapu festival tragedy

A report commissioned by the B.C. government after a deadly attack at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver makes a number of recommendations to improve security at public events.

B.C. SPCA welcomes proposed ban on exotic cats

The B.C. SPCA is welcoming proposed regulations from the B.C. government to ban all exotic cat species. 

RCMP seeking two men after explosion outside MLA Bowinn Ma’s North Van office

RCMP have released images of two men they believe were involved in an explosion last month in North Vancouver, which damaged the front door of the building housing the constituency office of B.C. NDP MLA and cabinet minister Bowinn Ma.

Adam Bremner-Akins joins B.C. Greens leadership slate

The B.C. Greens have announced Adam Bremner-Akins from Port Coquitlam as the third and final candidate in the party’s leadership race.

Drought and strong winds challenging firefighters in B.C.’s northeast

The B.C. Wildfire Service has warned today's strong winds expected across much of the province could lead to more extreme wildfire activity.
- Advertisement -