The trade tensions between the United States and Canada escalated after former U.S. President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods.
In response, Canada swiftly announced strong countermeasures. Here’s a breakdown of the day’s key events:
9:50 p.m. EST – Canada’s Retaliation List Expected Soon
Although Canada has confirmed its plan to impose tariffs on American products, the government has not yet released the full list of affected imports.
However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has stated that details will be made available by tomorrow.
9:40 p.m. EST – Is Trump Targeting Border Security with These Tariffs?
During a press conference, Prime Minister Trudeau was asked whether the tariffs imposed by Trump were actually linked to border security concerns.
Trudeau responded by emphasizing that the Canada-U.S. border is already one of the most secure in the world.
He acknowledged that maintaining border security is always a priority, which is why the Canadian government has invested $3 billion in border enforcement.
He also addressed the issue of fentanyl and opioid-related deaths, an issue that the U.S. has been vocal about.
Trudeau expressed sympathy for the crisis and pointed out that Canada has also been battling the same problem.
While efforts have been made over the years, he reassured Canadians that his government remains committed to taking further action.
9:11 p.m. EST – Trudeau Hits Back with $155 Billion in Tariffs
In direct retaliation to Trump’s tariffs, Canada is imposing 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods. Speaking from Parliament Hill, Trudeau outlined the federal government’s countermeasures, describing them as a necessary response to protect Canadian businesses and workers.
During his address, Trudeau made it clear that Trump’s trade war will not only hurt Canada but also have serious consequences for American businesses and workers. He reminded Canadians that this decision was not taken lightly.
The announcement followed weeks of diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation, including urgent meetings between Trudeau, his cabinet, and provincial leaders.
Despite attempts to find a resolution, Canada was left with no choice but to defend its economic interests.
8:40 p.m. EST – Canadians Promote ‘Made in Canada’ Products
As Canada braces for economic pushback from U.S. tariffs, many Canadians are showing their support for local businesses.
Canadian-Armenian singer-songwriter Raffi Cavoukian, well known for his children’s music, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) featuring a “Made in Canada” sign at a local grocery store.
His caption, “How we roll against #tariff madness,” reflects the growing sentiment among Canadians to support homegrown products in response to Trump’s aggressive trade policies.
With the trade battle intensifying, all eyes are now on how both nations will navigate the economic fallout in the coming days.
a local grocer was quick to display #MadeInCanada signs to help shoppers like me choose 🇨🇦 items, not 🇺🇸. how we roll against #tariff madness. feel good that so far in 2025 I’ve gone Amazon-free. now I see that my fave coconut yogurt is Canadian!
— Raffi Cavoukian (@Raffi_RC) February 1, 2025
🍁 C-A-N-A-D-A 🍁 pic.twitter.com/kSBEqXoR16
