OTTAWA – A fierce phone call between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump erupted into a volatile exchange, as the Canadian leader stood his ground against the economic aggression of the White House. The trade war, which Trump initiated against Canada, took center stage in a conversation that reportedly devolved into profanities from the U.S. president, exposing the deepening divide between the two allies.
As Trudeau simultaneously announced sweeping new child care benefits, the backdrop of an uncertain economic future loomed large. Trump’s latest maneuver—a 30-day delay on auto sector tariffs—signals that even the White House is beginning to feel the pressure of its own reckless policies.
Trump’s Tariffs Are Backfiring
Trudeau didn’t hold back when addressing the growing impact of American tariffs, warning that their effects were not just hurting Canada but were also devastating the U.S. economy.
“What we’ve been saying for weeks already is that American tariffs on Canadian products will have the result of hurting the U.S. economy,” Trudeau told reporters. “It will lead to the layoff of American citizens and workers. It will have a direct hit on the U.S. stock market. And we’re seeing that all of that is real.”
Despite Trump’s combative stance, the auto sector tariffs—which had been set to deal a catastrophic blow to North American manufacturing—have been temporarily halted for 30 days. However, the bigger question remains: Will Trump push forward with full-scale global tariffs in April?
“The U.S. administration, even though they really like their tariffs, is now recognizing that tariffs on the auto sector—or other sectors—will really hurt Americans,” Trudeau noted. “That means they’re in the process of looking at putting a pause on some of that to mitigate the impact.”
Trudeau: No Canadian Concessions Without U.S. Tariff Removal
Despite ongoing discussions between Canadian and U.S. officials, Trudeau remains adamant—Canada will not surrender.
“We will not be removing Canadian tariffs in response to the U.S. tariffs,” Trudeau declared. “We won’t do that as long as those U.S. tariffs are in place. There are obviously conversations ongoing right now with the U.S. administration, but as I’ve said a number of times, we will not be backing down from our response tariffs until such a time as the unjustified American tariffs on Canadian goods are lifted.”
Trump’s America First vs. Economic Reality
At the core of the dispute is Trump’s long-standing “America First” ideology—a zero-sum approach to trade that Trudeau insists is not only harmful but outdated in the modern world.
“The USMCA was a win-win-win,” Trudeau stated, referencing the North American trade agreement between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. “We’ve strengthened our North American competitiveness. But President Trump’s approach has consistently been America First. The big argument we have to continue to make is that America First happens best when Canadians and Mexicans are prospering as well.”
Trudeau drew a sharp contrast between Trump’s cutthroat business tactics and the reality of international trade.
“In real estate deals, a win-lose scenario might be better for someone who is experienced in business negotiations,” he explained. “But when it comes to countries, win-win outcomes are actually the best. That is an argument that I have personally made many times with the President.”
Canadian Unity Will Be Key to Victory
With tensions rising, Trudeau called on Canadians to stand firm against Trump’s economic attacks, reinforcing the idea that national unity will be Canada’s greatest strength in this battle.
“We are in a trade war with the United States that they launched unjustifiably,” he said. “We’re going to continue to be strong and resolute in our response, and we will continue to be there for each other.”
When asked about possible divisions within Canada—especially if Trump carves out exemptions for certain industries—Trudeau remained resolute.
“Canadians are in this together,” he said. “If some industries don’t have the same kinds of pressure, we’re going to be leaning on all Canadians to be there for the industries that are facing more hardship. The unity that Canadians are feeling right now is actually the most important thing in being able to stand up against a trading partner that is much bigger than us.”
The Battle Isn’t Over
Even as the U.S. considers potential exemptions for USMCA-compliant trade, Trudeau remains cautious.
“That aligns with some of the conversations we’ve been having with administration officials,” Trudeau acknowledged. “But I’m going to wait for an official agreement to talk about Canada’s response. It is a promising sign, but it means that the tariffs remain in place, and therefore our response will remain in place.”
The fight over tariffs, trade, and economic sovereignty is far from over. As Trump doubles down on his aggressive trade policies, Trudeau has made one thing clear: Canada will not be bullied.
