Canada’s planned retaliatory tariffs against the United States are crafted to cause maximum impact while minimizing harm to Canada, according to New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, who has reviewed the federal government’s strategy.
“I believe that the approach outlined and proposed by the federal government is robust, strategic, and targeted at inflicting the most damage to the specified Americans while mitigating risks and minimizing the effect on the Canadian economy. I think this is the correct strategy,” she expressed during an interview on CBC’s Power and Politics on Jan. 15. [
Transcript]
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a threat of a 25 percent tariff on Canadian imports, initially citing concerns about illicit drugs and illegal immigration, and later mentioning the trade deficit with Canada as additional rationales. Details of the proposed tariff have not been disclosed.
On Jan. 15, Premiers convened in Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet to discuss enhancing border security to dissuade Trump from implementing the tariffs, while also contemplating retaliatory measures if the tariffs are enforced following his Jan. 20 inauguration.
Holt did not confirm
reports from the media about Canada’s willingness to adopt a $150 billion counter-tariff plan but stated that a variety of options have been under consideration. “We have several alternatives at our disposal to respond, depending on the severity of the actions taken by the Trump administration,” she remarked, mentioning that Ottawa will await Trump’s actions before formulating a response.
Government officials, speaking anonymously, have floated other potential reactions to the U.S. tariffs.
One official informed The Canadian Press that Ottawa might target U.S. products such as steel, ceramics, and plastics. Another report from
Bloomberg cited an anonymous source indicating that Ottawa’s initial response would likely concentrate on approximately 10 high-profile goods, including Florida orange juice and Kentucky bourbon.
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