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Quotes on Canada facing Trump tariffs

Feb 1, 2025 | 6:40 PM

OTTAWA — U.S. President Donald Trump will hit Canada with 25 per cent tariffs on Tuesday, with a lower 10 per cent duty for energy.

Here are some quotes:

“I’m extremely disappointed that President Trump has chosen to walk away from a trading relationship that for decades has made life better for millions of workers on both sides of the border.”

— Ontario Premier Doug Ford

“So Trump built a wall, but it’s a wall targeting us. Trump’s tariff tax is an attack on Canada and who we are.”

— Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew

“I am disappointed with U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to place tariffs on all Canadian goods. This decision will harm Canadians and Americans alive and strain the important relationship between our two nations. Alberta will do everything in its power to convince the U.S. President and Congress, as well as the American people, to reverse this mutually destructive policy.”

— Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

“It’s remarkable to find ourselves at odds with our best friend and neighbour.”

— Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston

“Canada will not bow down to a bully. We won’t stand by as illegal US tariffs hurt our workers and their families. As Canadians, we need to face this challenge as one united team. I support dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs aimed where they will be felt the hardest in the United States but will have the least impact in Canada. At the same time, we need a co-ordinated strategy to boost investment and to support our Canadian workers through what will be a difficult moment.”

— Liberal leader candidate Mark Carney

“We must put Canada First. That is why Common Sense Conservatives condemn President Trump’s massive, unjust and unjustified tariffs on Canada’s already weak economy. Canada is the United States’ closest neighbour, greatest ally and best friend. We share the longest undefended border and fought alongside Americans in two world wars, Korea and Afghanistan, where 158 of our brave men and women died helping the U.S. avenge the 9/11 attacks. There is no justification whatsoever for this treatment.”

— Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre

“Donald Trump has unleashed an unprecedented trade war on our country. We can’t let working Canadians pay the price. People are worried they’ll lose their job. Families are worried about how they’ll keep putting food on the table. It is urgent that the government is ready to put financial help into the hands of workers who are impacted, and that we protect as many jobs as possible with a strong commitment to buy Canadian.”

— NDP Party Leader Jagmeet Singh

“We will never forget this act of hostility against our workers, and we must take every measure possible — utilize every ounce of creativity we have — to build a strong, resilient, and diverse economy to never be held hostage by America again.”

— Unifor National President Lana Payne

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2025.

The Canadian Press Staff