Trump, Canada’s Trudeau Exchange Words Amid Trade Tensions

Tensions between the United States and Canada remain elevated as President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau engage in a war of words amidst a growing trade dispute, Al Jazeera reports.

Trump addressed a recent phone call with Trudeau on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing it as ending in a “somewhat” friendly manner, without elaborating. He also accused Trudeau of insufficient action on fentanyl trafficking, despite experts suggesting this is not a major issue along the Canadian border. Trump further questioned Trudeau’s role in Canada’s upcoming federal election, a tactic he has employed with other world leaders.

These developments follow the recent implementation of 25-percent tariffs by the US on products from Canada and Mexico, the United States’ two largest trading partners. Trump initially announced plans to leverage these tariffs to compel Canada and Mexico to bolster border security after winning the presidency in November. He also suggested that Canada could avoid the tariffs by becoming a US state.

The implementation of the tariffs, initially slated for February, was delayed after both Canada and Mexico offered concessions. Mexico agreed to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to its border with the US, while Canada committed to establishing a “fentanyl tsar” and a task force to combat drug trafficking. However, these concessions have now expired, and the tariffs have taken effect.

In response, Canada and Mexico have implemented retaliatory tariffs, escalating the trade conflict. Concerns are growing that the trade standoff could negatively impact the economies of all three countries. The US “big three” automakers, Ford, Stellantis and General Motors, have already secured a one-month exemption from the tariffs.

Canada has pursued negotiations with the Trump administration to resolve the trade dispute while also filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Canada contends that the tariffs violate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a free-trade agreement established during Trump’s first term.