Trudeau not willing to lift Canada’s retaliatory tariffs if Trump leaves some tariffs on Canada
Mar 5, 2025, 8:07 AM | Updated: 9:46 am
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick arrives before President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
TORONTO (AP) 鈥� Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not willing to lift Canada鈥檚 retaliatory tariffs if Trump leaves any tariffs on Canada, a senior government official told The Associated Press
The official confirmed the stance on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Trump imposed tariffs against Washington鈥檚 three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China and sending financial markets into a tailspin. President Donald Trump put 25% taxes, or tariffs, on Mexican and Canadian imports, though he limited the levy to 10% on Canadian energy.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said there might be carveouts coming 鈥� a softening of the U.S. position after Tuesday鈥檚 tax hike hurt the stock market, worried consumers and started a trade war.
In a Wednesday interview with Bloomberg Television, Lutnick said that Trump would update his tariff plans with an afternoon announcement, possibly sparing sectors such as autos from the import taxes.
鈥淭here are going to be tariffs, let鈥檚 be clear,鈥� Lutnick said. 鈥淏ut what he鈥檚 thinking about is which sections of the market that can maybe — maybe — he鈥檒l consider giving them relief until we get to, of course, April 2.鈥�
On April 2, Trump plans to announce what he calls 鈥渞eciprocal鈥� tariffs to match the tariffs, taxes and subsidies provided by other countries. That could dramatically increase the tariff rates charged globally while maintaining the risk of a broader tariff.
Lutnick said he would talk on Wednesday morning with Trump about the possible options regarding Canada and Mexico, saying that both countries are working to address the U.S. president鈥檚 concerns about drug trafficking. Lutnick said to expect Trump to announce his decision Wednesday afternoon.
The Canadian government indicated that nothing less than the removal of the tariffs was acceptable.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not interested in meeting in the middle and having some reduced tariff. Canada wants the tariffs removed,鈥� Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
