Monday March 3, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
Political analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
After Canada bent over backwards in a prompt and high-profile fashion to strengthen fentanyl controls at the Canada-USA border, there is no part of that resulting in a deterrence or cancellation of tariffs being imposed by the US on Canada.
Today US President Donald Trump said in a media session that the 25% tariffs will proceed against both Canada and Mexico on March 4.
The significant tariff will begin at 12:01 am Eastern on March 4, 2025 (9:01 pm this evening March 3, Pacific Time).
Press conference on March 4:
It’s quite clear now that Trump intends to retrench manufacturing capacity in the United States, attracting companies to set up shop in the USA where they won’t be subject to tariffs.
Trudeau will be holding a press conference on Tuesday morning, March 4. He will be accompanied by Finance Minister and Governmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, and Public Safety Minister David McGuinty.
This is economic warfare, plain to see.
Once the certainty of tariffs was seen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement around 9:15 pm Eastern (6:15 pm Pacific). [See full text below]
Time to shift approach:
Canada is still trying to use ‘common sense’ and factual arguments as a defense against Trump but the US president’s pro-manufacturing-relocation agenda seems increasingly entrenched.
Trump doesn’t need to be ‘explained to’. He has an agenda to restore the manufacturing capacity of the United States (along with the jobs that creates) and seems quite aware that some Americans will also suffer. He’s playing the long game. Canadian leaders may need to stop trying to appease Trump and get on with the important work of trade diversification and incentivizing manufacturing investment within Canada.
Trump’s thirst for resources:
Furthermore, Trump seems to think he can manage without critical minerals, potash and energy from Canada. The only other places he can really secure those resources is primarily Ukraine and possibly China. As Ukraine is not capitulating unless they get security guarantees, this is increasingly looking like Trump wants the US to hook up with Russia to use their shared might to acquire resources.
The US has now, today, paused all military aid to Ukraine. This will further work in Russia’s favour.
Statement by the Prime Minister on unjustified U.S. tariffs against Canada
March 3, 2025
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on unjustified U.S. tariffs against Canada:
“Today, after a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.
“While less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada, we have worked relentlessly to address this scourge that affects Canadians and Americans alike. We implemented a $1.3 billion border plan with new choppers, boots on the ground, more co-ordination, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. We appointed a Fentanyl Czar, listed transnational criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, launched the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell, and are establishing a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force on organized crime. Because of this work – in partnership with the United States – fentanyl seizures from Canada have dropped 97 per cent between December 2024 and January 2025 to a near-zero low of 0.03 pounds seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered. Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow, respond with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time. Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures. While we urge the U.S. administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers, and for a fair deal.
“Because of the tariffs imposed by the U.S., Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs. Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term.”
===== RELATED:
Premier Eby addresses the new tariff reality (March 4, 2025)