Trudeau Congratulates Trump on Inauguration; President Expected to Hold Off on Tariffs
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on his inauguration today, praising the Canada-U.S. economic partnership as “the world’s most successful.”
“We are each other’s largest trade partners, with a relationship that creates millions of jobs, attracts billions in investment across the continent, and keeps our people safe,” Trudeau wrote in a statement on Monday.
“Canada is strengthening this mutually beneficial relationship,” he added, expressing his eagerness to work with Trump during his second term. “We’re making massive investments to bolster cross-border trade, reinforce our supply chains, and create jobs on both sides of the border.”
Last November, Trump announced via social media that he planned to impose a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico as part of “many” executive orders to be signed on the first day of his second term.
The threat prompted Canada to launch a coordinated response, including a rare in-person meeting between the prime minister and provincial premiers. Trudeau also reconvened his cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations and established a new Canada-U.S. Relations Council comprising 18 prominent Canadians.
However, according to The Washington Post, Trump plans to delay the implementation of these tariffs. Instead, he is expected to issue a “broad memorandum” instructing federal agencies to review U.S. trade policies—highlighting trade deficits and placing a particular focus on America’s relationships with China, Mexico, and Canada.
“I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens,” Trump declared in his inauguration speech on Monday.
“For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties, and revenues. Massive amounts of money will pour into our treasury from foreign sources,” he added.
Meanwhile, Trudeau’s cabinet has gathered in Montebello, Quebec, for a meeting this afternoon to discuss Canada’s response to Trump’s policies.
The Canadian government has been preparing a three-phase response plan, ready to be deployed depending on whether Trump follows through on his tariff threats.
A senior government source indicated that Trump’s decision to review trade policies could provide Canada with a six-month reprieve from potential tariffs.
Speaking briefly to reporters upon arriving at the Montebello meeting, Trudeau said he was “very happy to be in Montebello” and eager to “dig in on issues facing Canadians.” However, he made no direct mention of Trump.
