Trudeau warns US tariffs on Canada would harm American workers

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has cautioned that imposing tariffs or trade barriers on Canadian goods would not only damage Canada’s economy but also hurt American workers and jobs according to a detailed report by Bloomberg.

Speaking at a press conference in Vancouver, Trudeau emphasized the deep economic ties between the United States and Canada, highlighting the intertwined nature of their supply chains. "The interconnectedness between the supply chains in Canada and the United States means that any barriers at the border will inevitably hurt American workers and American jobs," Trudeau stated, addressing the potential consequences of US protectionist trade policies, the Bloomberg report explained further.

Trudeau’s remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump’s trade stance, which includes imposing a 10 per cent tariff on all imports to the US Trump’s protectionist agenda aims to bolster American manufacturing and bring production back to the US, but Trudeau stressed that such measures could end up being counterproductive.

A report by economists at Desjardins forecasts that Canada’s real GDP could face a 1.7 per cent decline by 2028 if these tariffs are implemented, illustrating the far-reaching impact of trade barriers between the neighbouring countries.

The Canadian Prime Minister also pointed out that Trump’s approach, which seeks to limit imports in favour of domestic production, could have unintended consequences for the American workforce. "Tariffs or a thickening of the border will create disruptions in both economies," Trudeau warned, adding that the flow of goods between the two nations is essential for the prosperity of both.

Canada shares common ground with the US

Trudeau made it clear that Canada shares common ground with the US in addressing global trade imbalances, especially with China. Both countries have imposed tariffs on Chinese steel, aluminium, and electric vehicles, aiming to curb what they view as unfair trade practices.

Despite these shared objectives, Trudeau emphasized that the US-Canada trade relationship is a vital and mutually beneficial one, and measures that increase trade friction would have a detrimental effect on both sides.

In a direct appeal to US blue-collar workers, Trudeau argued that the trade barriers Trump advocates could backfire, impacting American jobs that rely on Canadian exports. He reiterated that Canada is a reliable and valuable partner for the US and that close cooperation between the two countries remains essential for maintaining their competitive edge in the global market.

Ultimately, Trudeau's message was clear: any moves to disrupt cross-border trade would harm not just Canadian workers but American ones as well. Both nations, he suggested, would be better served by strengthening their trade ties rather than weakening them.