Raptors fans boo U.S. national anthem in Toronto amid Trump's tariff war: 'Doesn't sound like Canada is ready to be the 51st state'

It continues a trend in Canadian sports arenas where choruses of boos have been heard during the 'Star Spangled Banner'

Bryan Meler
·Senior Editor, Yahoo Canada
Sun, February 2, 2025 


Toronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown, left to right, forward Scottie Barnes and forward Chris Boucher react as fans boo the American national anthem before first half NBA action against the LA Clippers in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn


Scotiabank Arena was filled with boos on Sunday afternoon during the singing of the U.S. national anthem, ahead of the Toronto Raptors' matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers.

It was unusual and rare moment to witness in a professional sports arena, but shows the tension that's been created ever since U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian imports in an executive order. It looks like the start of the trend, after earlier this weekend, boos were also heard in NHL arenas in Ottawa and Calgary.

On Sunday, the crowd erupted immediately, as 15-year-old Kyra Daniel started singing the "Star Spangled Banner."

Knowing that the young singer was found in the middle of all the awkwardness, fans in attendance applauded her performance as the song came to an end, and then proceeded to roar when Daniel started "O Canada," as they sang along.

Post-game, Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković said he has "no comment" on what took place. When Chris Boucher was asked post-game if he's ever experienced a moment like Sunday's, he responded:

"No, no, no. But have you ever seen us getting taxed like that?," said the Montreal-native, according to the Associated Press.

On Feb. 1, Trump placed sweeping taxes of 25 per cent on imports from Canada, while energy — such as oil, electricity, and natural gas — will instead byetaxed at a 10 per cent rate. On Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded by ordering retaliatory tariffs on imports from the U.S.

The videos from inside Scotiabank Arena have since gone viral, as users online supported the boos, as they shared frustrations with what's going with Canada's closest neighbour and historic ally.



"Doesn't sound like Canada is ready to be the 51st state does it," wrote one user on X, shedding light on Trump's repeated claim that Canada should join the U.S.

"Love this. Canadians, in general, don't hate the U.S., but they are sending a message to their leadership. I think most Americans understand this," wrote another X user in reply to the viral video.

While many X users condemned the boos — in a move that isn't all too surprising considering X is owned by Elon Musk — one American couldn't help but feel some sympathy:

"The U.S. government declared an economic war on Canadians, I don't blame them," the user wrote.

The last time wide-spread boos of the U.S. national anthem took place in a Canadian sports arena was in the early 2000s, when fans booed the U.S.-led war against Iraq.

Considering the Raptors are the NBA's only Canadian team, who's to stay how long this current trend will continue at Scotiabank Arena.

 Canadian NBA Fans Boo U.S. National Anthem Over Trump’s Tariffs

Amethyst Martinez

THE DAILY BEAST
Sun, February 2, 2025 


Vaughn Ridley / NBAE via Getty Images


Canadians are clapping back amid President Donald Trump’s all-out tariff war with the country.

Prior to a Sunday game between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers, Canadian fans booed loudly as the “Star Spangled Banner” was played.

Then, as the first notes of “O Canada,” rung out, the crowd cheered loudly.

Just a day before, hockey fans seemingly started the trend, booing when the U.S. anthem was sung at a matchup between the Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild.

The anger comes after Trump announced 25% tariffs on U.S. allies Canada and Mexico.

Trump boiled his decision down to “a number of reasons,” including a surge in illegal immigration and imports of the deadly drug fentanyl crossing the border.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—alongside Canadian citizens—criticized Trump’s decision to target their country.

“Tariffs against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly and other manufacturing facilities,” Trudeau said in a press conference on Saturday. “They will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery store and gas at the pump.” He then went onto announce Canada’s very own 25% tariff increase against the U.S.

“The tariffs on 25 percent of everything that Canada produces will hurt Americans, including consumers,” he continued.

Canadian provinces have also weaponized their purchasing power against the United States by ripping American ‘Red State’ liquor off their shelves.

“Every year, [the Liquor Control Board of Ontario] sells nearly $1 billion worth of American, wine, beer, spirits and seltzers,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Canada’s most biggest province of over 14 million, wrote. “Not anymore.”

The new trade war seems far from over as Trump doubled down on the decision—even as many American consumers fear the consequences for their own wallets.

“THIS WILL BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA! WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!),” Trump wrote to Truth Social on Sunday. “BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”

Watch Canadian Hockey Fans Boo The U.S. National Anthem Following Trump Tariff News

Ben Blanchet
Updated Sun, February 2, 2025 

Canadian hockey fans weren’t so friendly toward the United States national anthem on Saturday after President Donald Trump sparked a trade war by imposing new tariffs on most goods from their country.

Fans of the Ottawa Senators in Canada’s capital city mostly booed ― with some cheers and applause mixed in ― a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the NHL team’s game against the Minnesota Wild, accordingtoclipsshared to X, formally called Twitter.

Calgary Flames fans could also be heard booing the singing of their neighboring country’s anthem, courtesy of a video shared by Edmonton radio host Courtney Theriault.

Both moments were preceded by Montreal Canadiens fans booing the U.S. anthem before the team’s game against the New Jersey Devils last month, an occurrence that Radio-Canada sports columnist Martin Leclerc tied to Trump’s then-looming threats toward Canada at the time in an article published last weekend.

The latest boos for the anthem arrived after Trump hit America’s northern neighbor with 25% tariffs on most goods ― with the exception of oil, which will face a lesser surtax ― coming from the country.

Mexico and China will also face tariffs, which are set to go into effect at midnight on Tuesday, in a move that experts warn could spark increased prices on everything from tomatoes to tequila.

In response to the Trump tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed that counter-tariffs would be placed on $155 billion worth of American goods — including alcohol, clothing and lumber — coming into Canada.

Canadian hockey fans have previously jumpedin to sing the rest of the U.S. anthem when performers experienced technical issues in recent years, but they’ve rarely booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before games.

Leclerc, in his Radio-Canada article, noted that Montreal hockey fans partially booed the U.S. anthem before a game at the city’s Bell Centre in March 2003, just prior to America’s invasion of Iraq.

The anthem was then loudly booed at the arena one day after the invasion, leaving U.S.-born players shocked.

Then-Montreal Canadiens President Pierre Boivin went on to apologize and called for the team’s fans — a “significant portion” of whom apparently booed the anthem — to “conduct themselves in a manner worthy of our game and our two great nations,” ESPN reported at the time.

“It is our firm belief that this kind of behavior has no place in the context of professional sports,” Boivin said.

The Montreal club would later air a video by team legend and hockey great Jean Béliveau in an effort to deter booing during the anthem at the following game.

Fans boo US national anthem at NHL game in Canada amid trade war

Will Conybeare
Sun, February 2, 2025 

Fans boo the Star-Spangled Banner at an Ottawa Senators game on Feb. 1, 2025.

 (Credit: Bruce Garrioch via Storyful)

OTTAWA, Canada (KTLA) — Canadians seemingly aren’t too happy with the tariffs being imposed on their country by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump signed an order Saturday to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, which drew swift retaliation and sparked a trade war.

The economic emergency declared by the president places duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on all imports from Mexico and Canada. Energy imported from Canada – including oil, natural gas, and electricity – would be taxed at a 10% rate.

Trump puts tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, spurring trade war as North American allies respond

After the tariffs were announced, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the actions taken by the White House “split us apart instead of [brought] us together” while announcing a matching 25% tariff on up to $155 billion on U.S. imports, including alcohol and fruit.

Foreign politicians aren’t the only ones unhappy with the tariffs, as hockey fans in Ottawa – Canada’s capital – expressed their apparent discontent at Trump’s decision by booing as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played ahead of the Ottawa Senators game against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.

Trump’s second week in office delivers jolts and chaotic orders with a mix of politics and tragedy

In footage captured by a local sports journalist Bruce Garrioch, loud booing can be heard as Ottawa musician Mandia sang the final bars of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Reporting from The Minnesota Star Tribune explains the booing started as she began but stopped during the midpoint of the anthem. While the jeering became louder as she finished, other fans were cheering.

As Mandia performed the Canadian national anthem, the crowd erupted into “energetic applause,” the Star Tribune reports.

The Wild lost 6-0.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Canadians largely against proposal to merge with US: Survey

Filip Timotija

  THE HILL
Sat, February 1, 2025 


The majority of Canadians are opposed to their country merging with the U.S., something President Trump has suggested in recent weeks, according to new surveys published on Friday.

The new YouGov polls, conducted in both the U.S. and Canada, found that 77 percent of Canadians are strongly or somewhat against Canada becoming a part of the U.S. while 15 percent said they are supportive of the idea. Some eight percent were unsure.

At least seven in 10 of Canadian citizens, who voted for major parties in the country’s 2021 federal elections, are strongly or somewhat unsupportive of a potential merger, according to the survey.

President Trump first trolled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling him the “governor” of Canada in December. After Trudeau announced in early January that he would be resigning ahead of Canada’s general elections later this year, Trump proposed a merger between the two neighboring nations and stated that if it would become reality, there would be no need for tariffs.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canada and Mexico over the flow of fentanyl that is coming into the U.S. and the situation at the southern border. He also cited the trade deficit with both nations, which are the U.S. largest trading partners.

Trudeau said on Friday that Canada “won’t back down” and that if the tariffs are imposed, Ottawa would respond.

The idea of combining the U.S. and Canada has more support among Americans. Around 36 percent of U.S. adults support the potential merger while another 42 percent are against it, according to the poll. Some 22 percent were not sure.

Citizens of both nations think the fusion will not be an easy task. Approximately 74 percent of Canadians and 68 percent of Americans stated that it would be very or somewhat difficult for Canada to fully be part of the U.S. Some 15 percent of U.S. adults and 13 percent of Canada had the opposite view.

The majority of Canadians, 68 percent, think the country merging with the U.S. would be a bad outcome for Ottawa while 13 percent said it would be a good development.

Americans are split on the issue, with 32 percent saying it would be a bad deal for Canada. The other 29 percent said it would be a good outcome, according to the poll.

The survey was done from Jan. 16-22 among 1,091 U.S. adults. It had a margin of error of around four percentage points. The Canada poll was completed from Jan. 22-28 among 1,030 Canadian adults. The margin of error was around three percentage points.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 

YOU TELL 'EM CHARLIE

Canadian Lawmaker Hits Back At Trump, Mar-A-Lago's 'Gangster Class' Over Tariff Threats

CHARLIE IS A SOCIALIST

Ben Blanchet
Updated Sat, February 1, 2025

HUFFPOST



Canadian lawmaker Charlie Angus on Friday blasted Donald Trump over his tariff threats to the northern nation, declaring that his country won’t let the U.S. president chip away at his country’s “values of decency and inclusion.”

“He’s threatening massive tariffs to try and break us as a people. But the threat is also being driven by the hate algorithms of oligarchs like Elon Musk,” said Angus — a member of the left-leaning New Democratic Party who serves in the Canadian Parliament — at a press conference.

“And there is the threat from people in our own country who would sell out our birthright to appease the gangster class from Mar-a-Lago. That is not going to happen.”

Angus has previously told Trump to “piss off” over his “juvenile” threats to his country and slammed “loser” Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary for snuggling up to the U.S. president in an attempt to broker a deal to create an “economic union” between the two nations.

On Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump would put 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico — as well as 10% tariffs on goods arriving from China — effective Saturday.

“These are promises made and promises kept by the president,” she said of the move that experts warn could cause prices to climb on a “very, very long” list of products.

Canadian officials have entertained puttingtariffs on goods imported from the U.S. in response to Trump’s threats.

Chrystia Freeland, a member of the center-left Liberal Party who serves in the Canadian Parliament, suggested putting 100% tariffs on all Tesla vehicles coming from the U.S. in an effort to target those supporting Trump to “make them pay a price” for the “attack” on her nation.

Angus, at the press conference backing a “Pledge for Canada” to respond to challenges facing the nation, suggested putting “200%” tariffs on Musk’s “douche Panzer” should Trump go forward with his plans.

“I would throw as much heat on Elon Musk as possible because he’s a deplorable, disgraceful human being,” Angus said.

Angus — elsewhere in the press conference on the “pledge” — called for Canada to lessen its dependency on its southern neighbor, build the country that its people want and reach out to its “Democratic allies around the world who are determined to protect democracy from the likes of Trump and Putin.”

“And we cannot turn away from our historic role of being a humanitarian friend fort those suffering in this world,” he declared.

“Our borders must continue to welcome and protect those seeking and deserving shelter in our lands.”

Windsor autoworkers say they feel betrayed by Trump's tariffs

CBC
Sun, February 2, 2025 

John D'Agnolo is the president of Unifor Local 200, which represents Ford workers in Windsor-Essex. (Pratyush Dayal/CBC - image credit)

News that Trump will impose double-digit tariffs on Canadian imports this week is weighing heavily on the minds of Windsor, Ont., autoworkers and others in the sector.

Jonathan Klein works at the Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant, where the Chrysler Pacifica, Grand Caravan and Dodge Charger Daytona are built.

Speaking outside the facility where he has worked since 2014, Klein said he has a young family and he didn't sleep very well after hearing the news.

"There's definitely a lot of worry there," he said.

He called the move short-sighted and said both the U.S. and Canadian economies are going to suffer.
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"I was pretty devastated when I heard the news... it feels very unreasonable. We're America's— I'd say closest neighbour and friend, and it just feels like betrayal to me," he said.

The tariffs kick in on Tuesday. Trump has signalled he wants to boost domestic manufacturing, and he wants Canada to take action on securing its border.

Canada has slapped 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of American products in response, with a further $125 billion in imports to face tariffs within weeks.

Daryl Wiznuk, who has worked at the plant for 30 years, says he also feels "betrayed," noting how Canada has stood by the U.S. through various conflicts.

If there's layoffs, he worries about the younger workers who have less seniority.

"It's just bad. It's not fair," he said.

Autoworker Mark Merkestyn said, "They're hurting themselves, they're hurting us, they're hurting everybody, all to fill this guy's ego."

Workers in Windsor-Essex also build the engines for the popular Ford F-150 and Super Duty trucks.

John D'Agnolo is the president of Unifor Local 200, the union representing workers at Ford's two engine plants in the region.

D'Agnolo worries the industry will be left devastated after tariffs drive up the cost of the vehicles and lead to decreased production and job losses.

"They absolutely make no sense," he said of the tariffs. "It's one of the most frustrating things I've dealt with in a long time, when you think about what we build here."

He said the engines have thousands of parts and they're crossing the border back and forth in the process, and face tariffs along the way.

"So just think about the engine alone, the cost on the engine alone, let alone the other parts on the vehicle," he said.

WATCH: Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens on Trump's tariffs

CBC News has requested comment from Ford but did not hear back on Sunday.

A spokesperson for Stellantis declined to comment but referred CBC News to the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA).

CVMA president and CEO Brian Kingston says he worries about the "immediate economic devastation" caused by the tariffs, but also what it means for North America's ability to compete with the rest of the world in the shift to electric vehicles.

He says right now, there's "no such thing" as a U.S.-built car, because the components and parts are sourced from manufacturers throughout the continent.

Once tariffs are imposed, those parts will get more expensive, but U.S.-based manufacturers don't have the ability to quickly address the new demand for domestic parts.

He says 22 per cent of U.S. vehicles are assembled in Canada and Mexico.

"Estimates are that to replace Canadian production, you would need five, six new assembly plants in the United States at a cost of $50 billion. That is just not realistic." he said.

He anticipates rising vehicle prices along production stoppages at plants across North America as cross-border supply chains — which the auto sector relies deeply on -— are turned on their head.

"And ultimately, we could see job losses in the sector as companies grapple with this new reality," he said.

'Last thing we need,' Whitmer says

Fears for the auto sector are being expressed on the other side of the border as well.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer likened it to a middle class tax hike for Americans. She says the tariffs will hurt the state's autoworkers and drive up the price of cars, groceries and energy.

"Michiganders are already struggling with high costs, and the last thing we need is for those costs to increase even more," she said in a video posted to social media on Saturday.

Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democratic Michigan congresswoman, spoke to CBC's Rosemary Barton on Sunday.

"I truly have no idea what the president of the United States is doing right now," she said. "I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why he would impose and levy a tariff... which is usually (leveled) at an adversary at best, if not an enemy, on our best ally."



Impact of Trump tariffs will leave no industry unscathed in Windsor-Essex, chamber says

CBC
Sun, February 2, 2025 

The automotive, agriculture and manufacturing industries in Windsor-Essex will be hit hard and fast by Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods, but if these penalties stick around, ultimately every business and sector in the region is going to feel it.

That's the dire message from Ryan Donally, the CEO and president of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, who's hoping cooler heads will prevail after Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

"There's not a single industry that won't be affected, and this is a very scary time for all of Windsor-Essex and all of Canada," he said on Sunday.

While Windsor-Essex is well known as Canada's auto capital and a major manufacturing hub, it also has the largest concentration of greenhouse vegetable growers in North America.

Donally says all of these industries will face the consequences of the tariffs, then industries that support them, like logistics providers, will suffer. Eventually, the effects will trickle down to small businesses like insurance companies and chriopractor's offices, he says.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says tens of thousands of jobs are on the line.

"The effects will be quite dramatic here," Dilkens, who chairs a group of border city mayors, told CBC's Rosemary Barton on Sunday.

Dilkens said he's worried about preserving investments like the NextStar electric vehicle battery plant, the first EV battery factory in Canada.

"None of this makes any sense to so many of us. We hope bright minds prevail, and I'm certainly going to fight for my community and make sure we're doing all that we can to preserve the jobs and the investments that we have realized that have benefited, and will benefit, the United States as well."

Dilkens said he's looking to other levels of government to extend supports if necessary, which could look similar to what was offered during COVID-19.

Tariffs to take effect Tuesday

Trump's 25 per cent tariff on goods from Canada starts on Tuesday. Trump wants to see the American trade deficit with Canada shrink, and he's also claimed the tariffs are a consequence of the illegal flow of fentanyl and people across the border.

In response, Canada has launched a tariff barrage of its own, with 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of American products. In three weeks, the tariffs will apply to another $125 billion worth of U.S. imports.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said American alcohol, vegetables, clothing, shoes and perfume will be among the first items to face Canadian retaliatory tariffs. Canada will also put tariffs on American consumer products such as household appliances, furniture and sports equipment.

Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is banning U.S. booze from the LCBO, one of the world's biggest purchasers of alcohol.

Donally says he supports the actions taken by governments.

"This was an economic war that was started by what was our best friend, a neighbour, ally... and largest trading partner and the Trump administration has essentially declared economic war on us. So, my message up the 401 (highway) is, continue to fight for Canadians."

The chamber is convening a task force of industry leaders on the issue on Monday, Donally says.

Support, silence and confusion: Republicans respond to Trump's trade war

The Canadian Press · 
Kelly Geraldine Malone
Sun, February 2, 2025 


WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump's unprecedented move to pull America’s closest neighbours into a trade war has left some Republican lawmakers precariously navigating how to support the leader's tariff agenda while their local economies brace for impact.

Many Republicans — caught between risking the president's ire and facing backlash from constituents concerned about rising costs — remained quiet about the damaging duties, set to be deployed Tuesday. Other came out loudly in support.

"Canada needs to come to the table," Kristi Noem, the former governor of South Dakota and the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, told NBC News on Sunday.

"They need to work with us to make sure that not only can we be good neighbours, but that we can help each other's economies by getting in line."

Trump signed executive orders Saturday to hit imports from Canada and Mexico with damaging duties amounting to 10 per cent on Canadian energy and 25 per cent on everything else.

Canada and Mexico quickly announced their intention to push back — despite the fact that the order includes a retaliation clause that says if the countries respond with duties on American products, the levies could be increased.

The president has linked the tariffs to what he calls the illegal flow of people and fentanyl across the border. U.S Customs and Border Protection statistics show less than one per cent of all fentanyl seized in the U.S. comes from the northern border.

Trump expanded an earlier emergency declaration at the southern border to the north and issued the tariffs through the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA). No president has used IEEPA for tariffs and it remains to be seen if the order will survive legal challenges.

The executive order states Noem will tell the president if Canada has done enough to alleviate the "public health crisis through cooperative enforcement actions” to lift the tariffs. It doesn't say what measures would suffice.

Many experts say it’s more likely the levies are part of Trump’s plan to fill federal coffers through an extensive tariff agenda, while also rattling Canada and Mexico ahead of a mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.

Canadian ministers had been cycling through Washington in recent weeks, meeting with Republican lawmakers and members of Trump's team in a last-ditch effort to stop the duties. Ministers met Friday with Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, to discuss Canada's $1.3 billion border security plan, implemented to appease the president's concerns.

In an interview on Fox News on Sunday, Homan said he would share the details of that presentation with the president later this week and did not weigh in on whether it might be enough to lift the tariffs.

"I'll brief him on the meeting I had, but that's the president's decision," Homan said. "I don't want to get ahead of him on that, but I will brief him on what I heard... so he knows what they have done, what they said they will do."

Republicans who support Trump’s tariff push repeated the president's border security claims, despite widespread concerns that the duties will stoke inflation and raise costs for Americans.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to be "careful" about imposing retaliatory tariffs.

"The Texas economy is larger than Canada's. And we're not afraid to use it," Abbott posted on social media Saturday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised Trump's tariffs on social media, despite saying last week he didn't think the duties would happen.

Many are looking for another key figure to weigh in. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said repeatedly he has not supported across-the-board tariffs and has warned they lead to higher inflation. The South Dakota Republican's state could be hammered by tariffs.

South Dakota's largest market is Canada, representing 44 per cent of total exports from the agriculture state. It also imports USD $686 million in goods from Canada annually, including fertilizer and machinery. Mexico is the state's second largest market.

While many Republicans remained mum, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was among the exceptions. He posted on social media that "tariffs are simply taxes."

"Conservatives once united against new taxes. Taxing trade will mean less trade and higher prices," Paul said.

Don Bacon, a Nebraska congressman, was careful not to criticize the president while expressing confusion over why Canada was being dragged into a trade war. On CNN Saturday, Bacon said Trump likes to use tariffs as a tool for negotiating trade deals.

“With Canada we already have a trade agreement and it was a good trade agreement.,” Bacon said. “And so that’s hard for me to square that circle because we’ve already negotiated a deal with them on this."

He suggested that Trump focus on China and Russia, adding "they are our adversaries and China does do illegal trade practices."

Democrats widely condemned Trump's tariffs, criticizing the president for campaigning on affordability while taking actions likely to raise costs.

"You're worried about grocery prices. Don's raising prices with his tariffs," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on social media.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2025.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press

Noem defends tariffs: ‘These countries have an opportunity to get on board’

Sarah Fortinsky

THE HILL
Sun, February 2, 2025 

Noem defends tariffs: ‘These countries have an opportunity to get on board’

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Sunday that Mexico, Canada and China have an “opportunity” to partner with the U.S. to stem the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigration.

In an interview on NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” Noem defended President Trump’s decision to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada and a 10 percent tariff on Chinese exports to the U.S.

“These countries have an opportunity to get on board with the president of the United States and to partner with us to deal with illegal immigration, to take back their individuals that have been in our country illegally. We want to repatriate them home, and they can be partners,” Noem said when asked whether the U.S. was in a trade war.

“So economically, yes, they will feel pain. They will feel what these consequences are, and we’ll be able to continue to go forward with a president who’s strong, who’s putting America first,” she continued.

NBC News’s Kristen Welker noted that fentanyl is a much greater problem at the southern border than at the northern border, and much of it originates in China. Welker asked why, then, the U.S. is “punishing Canada, one of its closest allies, more than China.”

“Canada has some work to do as far as helping us secure our northern border. So, we still know we’re extremely vulnerable across that northern border, that we have people coming into our country from China, from foreign countries. We have people on the terrorist watch list that come in over our northern border. And in fact, what we have sent a message this week on is that we’re not just going to enforce our southern border. We’re going to put extra resources at that northern border as well,” Noem responded.

“So, Canada needs to come to the table, they need to work with us to make sure that not only can we be good neighbors, but that we can help each other’s economies by getting in line and making sure that our immigration policies are followed and that those that are dangerous criminals face consequences,” she continued.

“The president has been very clear from the beginning that there’s a new sheriff in town, that he’s going to make sure he’s putting Americans first, and that Canada can help us, or they can get in the way, and they will face the consequences of it.”

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Read the full text of Trump's executive order imposing tariffs on Canada

Financial Post Staff
Sun, February 2, 2025 

U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders imposing a 25 per cent levy on all Canadian goods and 10 per cent on Canadian energy Saturday.

The White House release an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Here’s the full text of the executive order:

IMPOSING DUTIES TO ADDRESS THE FLOW OF ILLICIT DRUGS ACROSS OUR NORTHERN BORDER

Executive Order
February 1, 2025

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,


I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the sustained influx of illicit opioids and other drugs has profound consequences on our Nation, endangering lives and putting a severe strain on our healthcare system, public services, and communities.

This challenge threatens the fabric of our society. Gang members, smugglers, human traffickers, and illicit drugs of all kinds have poured across our borders and into our communities. Canada has played a central role in these challenges, including by failing to devote sufficient attention and resources or meaningfully coordinate with United States law enforcement partners to effectively stem the tide of illicit drugs.

Drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) are the world’s leading producers of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs, and they cultivate, process, and distribute massive quantities of narcotics that fuel addiction and violence in communities across the United States. These DTOs often collaborate with transnational cartels to smuggle illicit drugs into the United States, utilizing clandestine airstrips, maritime routes, and overland corridors.


The challenges at our southern border are foremost in the public consciousness, but our northern border is not exempt from these issues. Criminal networks are implicated in human trafficking and smuggling operations, enabling unvetted illegal migration across our northern border. There is also a growing presence of Mexican cartels operating fentanyl and nitazene synthesis labs in Canada. The flow of illicit drugs like fentanyl to the United States through both illicit distribution networks and international mail — due, in the case of the latter, to the existing administrative exemption from duty and taxes, also known as de minimis, under section 1321 of title 19, United States Code — has created a public health crisis in the United States, as outlined in the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025 (America First Trade Policy) and Executive Order 14157 of January 20, 2025 (Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists). With respect to smuggling of illicit drugs across our northern border, Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre recently published a study on the laundering of proceeds of illicit synthetic opioids, which recognized Canada’s heightened domestic production of fentanyl, largely from British Columbia, and its growing footprint within international narcotics distribution. Despite a North American dialogue on the public health impacts of illicit drugs since 2016, Canadian officials have acknowledged that the problem has only grown. And while U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security seized, comparatively, much less fentanyl from Canada than from Mexico last year, fentanyl is so potent that even a very small parcel of the drug can cause many deaths and destruction to America families. In fact, the amount of fentanyl that crossed the northern border last year could kill 9.5 million Americans.


Immediate action is required to finally end this public health crisis and national emergency, which will not happen unless the compliance and cooperation of Canada is assured.

I hereby determine and order:

Section 1. (a) As President of the United States, my highest duty is the defense of the country and its citizens. A Nation without borders is not a nation at all. I will not stand by and allow our sovereignty to be eroded, our laws to be trampled, our citizens to be endangered, or our borders to be disrespected anymore.


I previously declared a national emergency with respect to the grave threat to the United States posed by the influx of illegal aliens and illicit drugs into the United States in Proclamation 10886 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border). Pursuant to the NEA, I hereby expand the scope of the national emergency declared in that Proclamation to cover the threat to the safety and security of Americans, including the public health crisis of deaths due to the use of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, and the failure of Canada to do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs. In addition, this failure to act on the part of Canada constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in substantial part outside the United States, to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. I hereby declare and reiterate a national emergency under the NEA and IEEPA to deal with that threat. This national emergency requires decisive and immediate action, and I have decided to impose, consistent with law, ad valorem tariffs on articles that are products of Canada set forth in this order. In doing so, I invoke my authority under section 1702(a)(1)(B) of IEEPA and specifically find that action under other authority to impose tariffs is inadequate to address this unusual and extraordinary threat.


Sec. 2. (a) All articles that are products of Canada as defined by the Federal Register notice described in subsection (e) of this section (Federal Register notice), and except for those products described in subsection (b) of this section, shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty. Such rate of duty shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except that goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after such time that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 1, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty, only if the importer certifies to CBP as specified in the Federal Register notice.

(b) With respect to energy or energy resources, as defined in section 8 of Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), and as otherwise included in the Federal Register notice, such articles that are products of Canada as defined by the Federal Register notice shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty. Such rate of duty shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except that goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after such time that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 1, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty, only if the importer certifies to CBP as specified in the Federal Register notice.


(c) The rates of duty established by this order are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, or charges applicable to such imported articles.

(d) Should Canada retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on United States exports to Canada or similar measures, the President may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this order to ensure the efficacy of this action.

(e) In order to establish the duty rate on imports of articles that are products of Canada, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine the modifications necessary to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) in order to effectuate this order consistent with law and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register. The modifications made to the HTSUS by this notice shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, and shall continue in effect until such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.


(f) Articles that are products of Canada, except those that are eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, which are subject to the duties imposed by this order and are admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except as otherwise noted in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41. Such articles will be subject upon entry for consumption to the rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading in effect at the time of admittance into the United States foreign trade zone.

(g) No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this order.

(h) For avoidance of doubt, duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 shall not be available for the articles described in subsection (a) and subsection (b) of this section.

(i) Any prior Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other Presidential directive or guidance related to trade with Canada that is inconsistent with the direction in this order is hereby terminated, suspended, or modified to the extent necessary to give full effect to this order.


(j) The articles described in subsection (a) and subsection (b) of this section shall exclude those encompassed by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b).

Sec. 3. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall regularly consult with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security on the situation at our northern border. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the opinion of the Secretary of Homeland Security, indicate that the Government of Canada has taken adequate steps to alleviate this public health crisis through cooperative enforcement actions. Upon the President’s determination of sufficient action to alleviate the crisis, the tariffs described in section 2 of this order shall be removed.

(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, shall recommend additional action, if necessary, should the Government of Canada fail to take adequate steps to alleviate the illegal migration and illicit drug crises through cooperative enforcement actions.


Sec. 4. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Commerce, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order. The Secretary of Homeland Security may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of Homeland Security. All executive departments and agencies shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement this order.

Sec. 5. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Commerce, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, is hereby authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency under IEEPA declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).


Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.


THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 1, 2025.

President Trump threatens Canada over trade war - saying it should become 'cherished 51st state'

U$A CAN'T BUILD HOUSES WITHOUT CANADIAN LUMBER AND MEXICAN LABOR.

Sky News
Updated Sun, February 2, 2025 




President Donald Trump has again threatened Canada in their emerging trade war, repeating that the neighbouring country should become "our cherished 51st state".

The US leader said this weekend that he is imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.

The two countries then hit back with retaliatory tariffs and today spoke of working together.

Follow latest:
Trump ignites trade war as Canada and Mexico hit back

Speaking on his Truth Social platform on Sunday afternoon, Mr Trump said: "We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason.

"We don't need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use."

He claimed that without the "massive subsidy" Canada "ceases to exist as a viable country".

He added: "Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada - AND NO TARIFFS!"

The Trump administration had said that the tariffs aimed to stop the spread and manufacturing of the opioid fentanyl, as well as pressuring America's neighbours to limit illegal immigration to the US.

But it risks a trade war and higher prices for American consumers. Economists argue supply chains will be disrupted and businesses will suffer increased costs - leading to an overall rise in prices.

Both Mexico and Canada rely heavily on their imports and exports, which make up around 70% of their Gross Domestic Products (GDPs), putting them at even greater risk from the new tariffs.

In his Sunday posts on Truth Social, Mr Trump also took aim at the Wall Street Journal which he said was leading a "Tariff lobby", after the newspaper ran an opinion piece titled "The Dumbest Trade War in History".

Read more:
Why has Trump targeted Mexico and Canada
How Donald Trump's tariffs could impact consumers

Announcing the retaliatory tariffs on Saturday night, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a passionate message to American consumers.

"It will have real consequences for you, the American people," he said, saying it would result in higher prices on groceries and other goods.

Mr Trudeau reminded Americans that Canadian troops fought alongside them in Afghanistan and helped them respond to domestic crises including the wildfires in California and Hurricane Katrina.

Canada's ambassador to the US said she hoped the tariffs would not come into effect on Tuesday, but she added she expects the Canadian government to stand firm.

"We're not at all interested in escalating, but I think that there will be a very strong demand on our government to make sure that we stand up for the deal that we have struck with the United States," Ambassador Kirsten Hillman told ABC News on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum said: "We categorically reject the White House's slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organisations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory."

She added: "If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don't do, and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population."

Donald Trump has ruptured the Canada-U.S. relationship. To what end? And what comes next?

CBC
Sun, February 2, 2025 


U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 23. (Ben Curtis/The Associated Press - image credit)

Addressing both Canadians and Americans on Saturday night, at one of the most fraught moments in the history of relations between Canada and the United States, Justin Trudeau reminded listeners of John F. Kennedy's words when the late American president addressed Parliament in May 1961.

"Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies," the prime minister said, quoting Kennedy.

Trudeau did not repeat the next sentence in Kennedy's remarks: "Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder."

Perhaps that line would have seemed in this moment like a direct attack on the current American president. But Kennedy's sentiment may have been implied as Trudeau proceeded to recount all of the occasions on which Canadians and Americans have fought together and all of the moments in which Canadians have been there to assist their neighbour.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers remarks at a Canada-US relations meeting at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre in Toronto, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young


Together, Trudeau said, Canada and the United States have built the most successful economic, military and security partnership the world has ever seen and a relationship that is the envy of the world.

"Unfortunately, the actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together," Trudeau said as he announced how Canada will hit back at U.S. tariffs.

The depth and duration of the split remains to be seen. In the short term, it could be very difficult — not least for those whose jobs and livelihoods are now threatened. And at an anxious moment for the country, Trudeau seemed intent on both pulling Canadians together and preparing them for a significant struggle: "There are many ways for you to do your part," he said.

But even if this rupture is somehow patched over relatively quickly, it's easy to imagine how this could leave the sort of lasting scars that change for the long-term the relationship between two nations that nature hath joined together.

How did we get here?

The United States has now commenced a trade war against its closest ally and trading partner. And there is much to consider about what comes next. But it's also worth reviewing how we got here.

On Nov. 5, Americans chose Donald Trump to be their next president. Twenty days later, Trump announced, via a post to his own social-media platform, that he would apply a 25 per cent tariff to all products imported into the United States from Canada and Mexico — a response, he claimed, to the fact that people and illegal drugs were entering the United States from those two countries.

The US and Canadian flags fly on the US side of the St. Clair River near the Bluewater Bridge border crossing between Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan on January 29, 2025. The Bank of Canada on January 29 cut its key lending rate 25 basis points to 3.0 percent, noting that US tariff threats are creating uncertainty for the economy.""The economy is expected to strengthen gradually and inflation to stay close to target (of two percent)," the central bank said. "However, if broad-based and significant tariffs were imposed, the resilience of Canada's economy would be tested."

 (Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP) (Photo by GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)

At least in the case of Canada, this was an irrational justification. Seizures of fentanyl at America's northern border represented 0.08 per cent of all fentanyl seized by American officials in the last fiscal year. The number of people entering the United States through Canada has also been a fraction of the total number of people entering via Mexico.

Regardless, preventing unwanted people and things from entering the United States is first and foremost the responsibility of the United States. If the U.S. believes it is justified in levying tariffs in this case, then Canadian officials would presumably have grounds to levy tariffs in response to the flow of illegal firearms that enter this country through the United States.

Canadian officials were nonetheless obliged — both political and practically — to take Trump's stated concerns seriously. And so they did. New resources were marshalled and new commitments to cross-border co-operation were made. By the federal government's estimate, the total package of measures will cost $1.3 billion.

But either it wasn't enough or it simply didn't matter.

Paul Krugman, the Nobel-winning economist and commentator, suggested this week that the use of fentanyl to justify this trade war was akin to a previous American administration's claims of "weapons of mass destruction" as a pretext to launch an invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a first ministers meeting in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

"It's just a plausible-sounding reason for a president to do what he wanted to do for other reasons — George W. Bush wanted a splendid little war, Donald Trump just wants to impose tariffs and assert dominance," Krugman wrote.

Why does Trump want to put tariffs on Canada?

It can't be said that Trump is responding to some great desire on the part of Americans to get tough on Canadian-made products. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in January found just 37 per cent of Americans support a new tax on Canadian goods. Abacus Data similarly found that just 28 per cent of Americans think a 25 per cent tariff is a "good idea."

The White House referred to the tariffs as "leverage" on Saturday. But it's unclear what more the United States wants. And whatever his stated concerns about fentanyl, Trump may more profoundly view tariffs as a way to raise revenue for a federal government that is already running a deficit of $1.8 trillion US, and as a method to force companies to manufacture products within the United States.

"We were at our richest from 1870 to 1913," Trump said on Friday. "That's when we were a tariff country."

Workers are seen at a vehicle assembly line in Alliston, Ont., in April 2024. Flavio Volpe, president of the Toronto-based Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, has warned tariffs levied by the U.S. will cause shares in U.S. car companies to drop. 

(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

At least as measured by GDP, it's hard to see how the United States was richer at the dawn of the 20th century. But returning to the world of 1913 would mean reversing nearly a century of increasing economic integration between Canada and the United States — integration that was formalized by a succession of free-trade deals, the most recent of which was negotiated, signed and celebrated by Trump himself just over six years ago.

At the very least, Trump has seemingly now sent the message to Canadian leaders — and leaders in many other countries — that America is no longer to be regarded as a reliable ally or trading partner. He seems to believe America's economic power exists to be wielded against others, both foes and friends, with no concern for either America's international relationships or the welfare of citizens in other countries.

What will this do to the Canadian psyche?

Trudeau said he trusts the American people and doesn't believe they wake up wanting to pick a fight with Canada. And perhaps the president's continued focus on fentanyl offers a way out. Perhaps Canadian officials can continue to implement measures related to the border and then Trump can claim victory and everyone can go back to their corners. At least until the next tariff is threatened.

But what of the Canadian political psyche? Canadians had largely overcome the fears of previous decades and grown comfortable with closer economic integration with the United States. Fears of American cultural influence had also receded. At least until now.

Fans at an Ottawa Senators game on Saturday night booed the American national anthem. In addition to the $155 billion in counter-tariffs announced by Trudeau on Saturday night, Nova Scotia announced that highway tolls would be increased on American trucks and American alcohol would be pulled off the province's store shelves. British Columbia announced that the province would no longer sell alcohol from "red states" — that is, American states that voted for Trump last November.

Trudeau spoke of preserving the relationship between Canada and the United States and "necessity" and "economics" may ultimately carry the day. But Trudeau also called on Canadians to "choose Canada" — in their day-to-day purchases and even in their choice of where to vacation.

If nothing else, Trump's aggression may be a shot in the arm for Canadian patriotism.

"Canada is home to bountiful resources, breathtaking beauty, and a proud people who've come from every corner of the globe to forge a nation with a unique identity worth embracing and celebrating," Trudeau said on Saturday night.

Trudeau finished his prepared remarks with "Vive le Canada," a trademark rallying cry of former prime minister Jean Chrétien.

Chrétien lived through some of the seminal moments in the making of modern Canada — the repatriation of the Constitution, the Quebec referendums of 1980 and 1995 — and his last great political act as prime minister was refusing to go along with the American invasion of Iraq.

For Canadians, going our own way may be newly back in fashion.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the media following the imposition of a raft of tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump against Canada, Mexico and China, in Ottawa on Saturday. Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, left to right, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc look on. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press - image credit)More

In response, Trudeau announced Canada will hit back against the U.S. with tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods in the coming days.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced late Saturday the federal government will hit back against the U.S. after President Donald Trump launched a trade war this weekend with punitive tariffs on all Canadian goods.

Trudeau said Canada won't stand for an attack from a country that was supposed to be an ally and friend.

Ottawa will immediately levy retaliatory tariffs on a whole host of American goods as payback for Trump's attempt to wreck the Canadian economy, Trudeau said.

To start, Canada will slap 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods coming into Canada as of Tuesday. The tariffs will then be applied to another $125 billion worth of American imports in three weeks' time.

"We don't want to be here, we didn't ask for this, but we will not back down in standing up for Canadians," Trudeau said.:

The prime minister said American liquor like beer, wine and spirits, vegetables, clothing, shoes and perfume will be among the first items to face Canadian retaliatory tariffs. Canada will also put tariffs on American consumer products such as household appliances, furniture and sports equipment.

Trudeau said there is more non-tariff trade action coming to try to force Trump's hand and get him to call off the hostilities.

Those actions are still to be decided but could include measures like restrictions on the export of critical minerals and energy products to the U.S. and a move to block American companies from bidding on government contracts, he said.

Trudeau urged Canadians to rally around the flag and choose Canadian products wherever possible to support embattled businesses. He asked shoppers to check labels before buying anything at the grocery store.

"Find your own way to stand up for Canada. In this moment, we must pull together because we love this country," he said.

While Trump has threatened to raise tariffs even higher if Canada retaliates, Trudeau said he was unbowed.

"We're not looking to escalate, but we will stand up for Canada, Canadians and Canadian jobs. That's my job and that's exactly what we're doing," he said.

Trudeau said he's been trying to reach Trump since his inauguration two weeks ago but hasn't heard back.

He said he wants to relay to Trump that it's better to tackle challenges such as drugs and migrants together as partners rather than as combatants in a trade dispute.

"People are upset and hurt by what's gone on here," Trudeau said. "But I have faith."

Trump slaps 25% tariff on Canadian goods

Trump launched a trade war against Canada earlier Saturday by imposing a 25 per cent tariff on virtually all goods from this country — an unprecedented strike against a long-standing ally that has the potential to throw the economy into a tailspin.

Trump's long-threatened plan to inflict economic pain on Canada has materialized on the day he said it would, and it includes a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy products. Trump is also levying tariffs of 25 per cent on all Mexican goods and 10 per cent on goods from China.

These potentially devastating tariffs are slated to take effect on Tuesday and remain in place until Trump is satisfied Canada is doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.

"The extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency," a White House fact sheet on the tariffs reads.

"President Trump is taking bold action to hold Mexico, Canada and China accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country."

Trump wants to 'stem the tide of illicit drugs'

In the executive order officially imposing the tariffs, Trump writes Canada has played "a central role" in the U.S.'s fentanyl challenges, despite American government data that shows comparatively little of the drug has been seized at the northern border in recent years.

Trump said Canada has failed to "devote sufficient attention and resources or meaningfully co-ordinate" with the U.S. to "stem the tide of illicit drugs."

Police in Canada have been carrying out fentanyl busts across the country, including one of the largest in Canadian history, in British Columbia last November.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Washington.
. (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)

There's a reason Trump is framing the expected tariffs as a response to an "emergency" drug and migrant crisis: It gives him the leeway to impose tariffs even though the new NAFTA is in place to prevent exactly these sorts of levies.

Experts have said trade action of this magnitude has the potential to shave billions of dollars off of Canada's gross domestic product and plunge the country into a painful recession requiring government stimulus to prop up the economy.

Canada must 'hit back and hit back hard,' Ford says

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, who currently leads the premiers as head of the Council of the Federation, said Canada has "no choice but to hit back and hit back hard."

Ford recently called a snap provincial election, saying he wanted a stronger mandate to deal with tariff issues.

"The coming days and weeks will be incredibly difficult," Ford said. "Trump's tariffs will devastate our economy. They'll put 450,000 jobs at risk across the province. Every sector and region will feel the impact."

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has been reluctant to support aggressive trade action against the U.S. until now, said in a statement that Trump's "mutually destructive policy" demands a response.

She said she supports "the strategic use of Canadian import tariffs on U.S. goods that are more easily purchased from Canada and non-U.S. suppliers."

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said he is taking action right away in response to what he called Trump's "remarkable" broadside.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, centre, speaks to Quebec Premier Francois Legault, right, beside Ontario Premier Doug Ford as Canada's premiers hold a press conference to close the Council of the Federation meetings in Halifax on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
(Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)

Houston said Nova Scotia will double highway tolls for U.S. commercial vehicles and direct the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation to remove all U.S. liquor from its shelves as of Feb. 4.

Trump's move Saturday shows no country is safe from his push to dramatically reshape the U.S. economy, roll back globalization and torpedo free trade deals like the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, that he signed in his first term.

Some $800 billion worth of goods crossed the Canada-U.S. border in the first nine months of 2024 alone, according to Canadian government data.

Trump's tariffs could drive down the flow of those goods with major ramifications for businesses and workers on both sides of the 49th parallel given just how intertwined the two countries are after decades of liberalized trade.

Data breaks down what's driving trade deficit

Trump is delivering on a campaign promise to seek retribution from countries he claims are "ripping off" the U.S.

By doing so, he is ignoring data that indicates the Canada-U.S. trade deficit is largely driven by American demand for cheaper Canadian oil. When oil exports are excluded, the Americans actually have a trade surplus with Canada, according to Canadian government data.

WATCH | What's in White House fact sheet on tariffs against Canada, Mexico, China:

Trump has cited wildly inaccurate trade deficit figures in the past, claiming at different times it's anywhere from $100 billion to $200 billion. The U.S. government's own data suggests the trade in goods deficit with Canada was $55 billion US as of November 2024.

Trump has also said the tariffs are to punish Canada for being lax on drugs and migrants even as the U.S. government's figures show less than one per cent of fentanyl and illegal migrants are coming from this country.

WATCH | 'This is a very difficult day,' says Business Council of Canada president:

Figures from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) show the agency seized 19.5 kilograms of fentanyl at the northern border last year, compared to a whopping 9,570 kilograms at the southwestern one.

The president teased for weeks that if Canada did more to crack down on the border, the country might get a reprieve from his trade actions.

The Canadian government delivered a billion-dollar border plan, but it wasn't enough.

The trickle-down effects of tariffs

Starting next week, American companies will be forced to pay tariffs to the U.S. government on the Canadian goods they import.

Those added costs could make some Canadian goods less competitive compared to those made in the U.S. or coming from other countries.

If Canadian companies can't sell their products into the U.S. at the same volume, some of them may have to close down or scale back and lay off workers.

But some goods can't easily be replaced, and there are potential knock-on effects for the U.S. economy, such as higher prices for American consumers.

WATCH | N.L. premier says Canadian identity 'under attack' with Trump tariff threats:

Before Trump imposed his tariffs, the Canadian government said U.S. gas prices could jump some 75 cents US a gallon overnight if he went ahead with tariffs.

Some U.S. Midwest refineries are entirely reliant on heavy crude from Alberta, and the Americans don't produce nearly enough oil on their own to meet demand.

The cost of electricity could also get immediately more expensive because many U.S. states rely on power from energy-rich provinces like B.C., Ontario and Quebec to keep the lights on in millions of American households.

Canadian lumber, favoured by U.S. homebuilders, will also spike, driving up the cost of new homes at a time when home prices have never been higher in the U.S.

Poilievre wants Parliament recalled

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre condemned what he called Trump's "massive, unjust and unjustified tariffs."

He urged the Liberal government to recall Parliament — it's prorogued until late March as the Liberals choose a leader to replace Trudeau — and enact retaliatory measures, including dollar-for-dollar tariffs on U.S. goods, with all the money raised going to "help for affected workers and businesses."

As part of what he's calling his Canada First Plan, Poilievre also wants the government to implement a "massive" tax cut and pursue swift approvals for new pipelines, mines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants to help bolster the economy.

"We will protect our economy, defend our sovereignty, bring home production and paycheques, and never back down," he said.