Trudeau appears on CNN to make an argument against tariffs to the American public

For the first time since US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose massive tariffs on Canadian goods, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken his argument against import taxes directly to the American public.

A 25% tariff on Canadian products would hurt both countries, Trudeau told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview Thursday afternoon.

“We have a lot of resources in Canada — more than our market can support — so we export it to our closest friends who can rely on it. It’s a win-win,” he said.

In Trudeau’s first interview since he announced he would step down as prime minister earlier this week, Tapper asked Trudeau about Trump’s recent comments that Canada should become the 51st state.

“That’s not going to happen. Canadians are very proud to be Canadian. One of the ways we easily define ourselves is: Well, we’re not Americans,” the Prime Minister said.

Trudeau said he believes Trump’s comments are intended to distract from the expected economic fallout from the tariffs if the president-elect carries out his threat.

“Everything that American consumers buy from Canada is suddenly going to be a lot more expensive, and that’s something we need to focus on a little bit more,” he said.

Ottawa is Prepare a list of hundreds of American-made goods — including steel, plastic and orange juice — that Canada is considering imposing retaliatory tariffs, according to a senior Canadian government source.

Trudeau told Tapper that the government is preparing to respond if Trump follows through on his threat to impose tariffs Canada did during his previous administration.

The Prime Minister was in Washington on Thursday to attend the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. Trump was also present, but the two did not speak. Speaking briefly to reporters, Trudeau repeated much of what he said on CNN and did not answer any questions.

Although this is Trudeau’s first appearance on U.S. network television since Trump issued his tariff threat, some Canadian premiers — specifically Doug Ford in Ontario and Daniel Smith in Alberta — have appeared several times in recent weeks to make the case against… Customs duties.

Poilievre outlines his plan to deal with Trump’s threats

Just moments before Trudeau’s interview, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a campaign-style press conference in which he explained how he would confront Trump’s threats.

Among the points he included in his prepared remarks, Poilievre said he would provide more energy to fuel the U.S. technology industry, cut taxes to stimulate investment in Canada and make the economy “more independent and less vulnerable to threats from abroad.”

He added: “We will stand and declare clearly that Canada is a sovereign and independent nation, and that we will protect our integrity as a nation through strength.”

Poilievre also pledged to take the case against the tariffs directly to American union workers and business leaders.

“We should go to American workers in the Midwest and their unions and business leaders and say: How many jobs are you willing to lose by imposing tariffs on Canadian energy?” he said.

While taking questions from reporters, Poilievre was asked whether he has spoken or plans to speak to Americans to make his case against the tariffs.

“Look, I’m not the Prime Minister. I respectfully ask the Canadian people to serve them in that role,” he said in response.

Poilievre – who is significantly ahead of the Liberals in opinion polls – called on Trudeau to call an election immediately.

“I need a mandate, a mandate to put our country first, and to make the case to the Americans,” he said.

Thursday was the first time Poilievre spoke to reporters since Trudeau announced he would step down. The Conservative leader said it didn’t matter who the Liberals chose as their new leader because they were “just like Justin”.