Ads came shortly after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to apply customs rates to products from Canada, Mexico and China, from February 4
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will retaliate to and apply the same rates to US products.
Trudeau said on Saturday that he rates about $ 30 billion (28.9 billion euros) of US fruits and alcoholic beverages will come into force on Tuesday, the same day as US tariffs come into force.
Canada will gradually “impose customs rates of 25% on American products, totaling 155 billion Canadian dollars” [102 mil milhões de euros]announced.
In a speech to Canadians, the head of the government of Canada also addressed the population of the United States.
“This will have real consequences for you, the American people,” said Trudeau, adding that this would result in higher prices, namely in the case of essential goods.
The prime minister said that many Canadians were feeling betrayed by the neighboring country and longtime ally, reminding the Americans that Canadian troops fought beside them in Afghanistan.
“The actions taken today [sábado] Through the White House they separated us instead of uniting us, ”said Trudeau, warning in French that this could bring“ dark times ”to many people.
Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum also ordered the imposition of customs rates on products from the United States, in retaliation for 25% rates announced by Trump.
Sheinbaum said on Saturday that he instructed the secretary of the economy, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, to implement a response that includes retaliation tariffs and other measures in defense of Mexico’s interests.
“We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention to interfere with our territory,” wrote the head of state, in a publication on social network X.
“There are no winners in a trade war”
China also promised to retaliate against new rates on Chinese products and reaffirmed that trade wars “have no winners.”
“China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly against” the tariffs, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement, announcing “corresponding measures to resolutely protect” Chinese rights and interests.
“There are no winners in a trade war or tariff,” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry in another statement.
Trade between the United States and China represented about 500 billion euros in the first 11 months of 2024, but the balance is widely unfavorable to the United States, with a deficit of about 260 billion euros, according to Washington data .
The announcements came shortly after US President Donald Trump
The decision was seen by Canada as a statement of “trade war.” Analysts pointed out that if tariffs remain in force, Canada could recession within six months.
Trump’s presidential decree determines the imposition of 10% rates on China, 25% on Mexico and 25% on Canada, except in Canadian oil, which will have a 10% tariff.
According to the White House, the order also includes a mechanism for increasing customs rates in case of retaliation of these countries – the three main trading partners of the United States and in total represent more than 40% of imports in the country.
