Ottawa: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on Thursday that the trade war with the United States is expected to persist ‘for the foreseeable future’ despite ongoing discussions about a potential tariff ceasefire.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trudeau engaged in a ‘colorful’ but ‘substantive’ 50-minute conversation with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. During a news conference primarily focused on new childcare measures, Trudeau was inevitably questioned about the ongoing trade tensions. The 25% US tariffs on most Canadian imports and the reciprocal tariffs on US goods imposed by Canada are subject to rapid changes, with conflicting signals from Trump administration officials.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned on CNBC that President Trump is considering halting all tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods until April. Lutnick suggested that this pause might apply to USMCA-compliant goods and services, which are part of the trade agreement involving Canada, the US, and Mexico. This potential reprieve would last for one month. However, Lutnick’s credibility was questioned after he inaccurately claimed that car manufacturers relocated to Canada due to the absence of unions.
Trudeau emphasized that the current focus is on ‘reducing the impact’ of the US-imposed tariffs, which he described as ‘unjustly’ applied. This includes providing financial aid to Canadians adversely affected by the trade conflict. When pressed about the intensity of his conversation with President Trump, Trudeau declined to share details, stating only that he has navigated the challenges of dealing with Trump since his election in 2016 and has successfully renegotiated the trade agreement to benefit all three countries, despite certain ‘unpredictabilities’ from the White House.
On Thursday, Trudeau made it clear that Canada seeks the removal of tariffs on all products, not just selected items.