Canada, Mexico Hit Back With Retaliatory Tariffs On US Goods After Trump Launches 'Tariff War'

President Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, prompting retaliatory tariffs from both countries.

File photo of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Source : ANI

As US President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, the two countries responded with retaliatory tariffs on the US goods.

The Associated Press reported that Canada is imposing its own 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of US goods. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said that she has ordered her economy minister to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend her country's interests, after the U.S. slapped across-the-board duties on goods coming from Mexico.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the tariffs will take effect on $30 billion worth of goods starting Tuesday with a further $125 billion worth of products being taxed three weeks later. "It will have real consequences for you, the American people," Trudeau said. He also asked Canadians to 'choose Canadian products and services rather than American ones.'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said, "We categorically reject the White House's slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organisations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory." She added that her government does not seek confrontation with its northern neighbor but collaboration and dialogue.

"Mexico does not want confrontation. We start from collaboration between neighboring countries. Mexico not only does not want fentanyl to reach the United States, but anywhere. Therefore, if the United States wants to combat criminal groups that traffic drugs and generate violence, we must work together in an integrated manner, but always under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration and above all, respect for sovereignty, which is not negotiable. Coordination yes; subordination, no", she posted on X. She added that it is not by imposing tariffs that problems are resolved, but by talking and dialoguing as they did in past weeks. 

However, she also said, "I instruct the Secretary of Economy to implement Plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defense of Mexico's interests."