Trudeau says U.S. has launched ‘trade war’, will file claims with WTO

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a press conference this morning that the United States has launched a continental trade war and Canada will fight back.

The across-the-board 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico also include a 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy, with 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum to come into effect March 12.

To combat Trump’s tariffs Canada will now impose 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of American products, with the levy set to expand to cover another $125 billion in American goods over the next three weeks.

Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada: their closest partner and ally — their closest friend.

Canadians are reasonable, but we will not back down from a fight.

Not when our country is at stake.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 4, 2025

Trudeau also announced that Canada will file claims with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and through The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.

Official Leader of the Opposition conservative Pierre Poilievre also responded to Trump’s tariffs, saying: “At 12:01 am today, President Trump stabbed America’s best friend in the back. My message to the President is this: Canada will fight back. We will defend our people and our economy, and we will put Canada First.”

With files from The Canadian Press

READ MORE: ‘Unjustified decision’: Trump’s tariffs are here and Canada is ready to retaliate