Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office says he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump this morning and will speak with him again later this afternoon.
The call comes as Canadian leaders respond to Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs, which are set to take effect on Tuesday.
Trump has linked his coming trade war with Canada to fentanyl crossing the border into the U.S., but in a post on Truth Social today he raised an entirely new grievance.
In that post, he says Canada “doesn’t even allow U.S. banks to open or do business there … what’s that all about?”
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says Trudeau told opposition leaders Sunday it’s increasingly clear this is not about the border but is a matter of Canadian sovereignty.
Trump has repeatedly said Canada can avoid the tariffs by becoming the 51st state.
Ottawa is imposing 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion in goods originating in the U.S., hitting hundreds of items, from meat and milk to carpets and curtains.
Canada’s initial tariff response takes effect Tuesday, when the American tariffs are being applied.
In three weeks, Ottawa plans to add another $125 billion in tariffs on hundreds of other U.S. goods after consulting with industry.
Trudeau says additional non-tariff measures are being discussed by the federal and provincial governments, including some related to critical minerals, energy and procurement.
(This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2025)
