Trudeau appears on CNN to make a case against the tariffs to the American audience

For the first time since US President-elect Donald Trump threatened high tariffs on Canadian products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took his argument against import tariffs directly to the American public.

Trudeau told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview Thursday afternoon that a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods would hurt both countries.

“We have so many resources in Canada – more than our market can support – so we export them to our closest friend who can rely on them. It’s a win-win,” he said.

In the first interview Trudeau has given since announcing he was stepping down as prime minister earlier this week, Tapper asked Trudeau about Trump’s recent comments that Canada should become the 51st state.

“That didn’t happen. Canadians are incredibly proud to be Canadian. One of the ways we define ourselves more easily is: ‘Well, we’re not Americans,'” said the prime minister.

Trudeau said he believes Trump’s comments are meant to distract from the expected economic fallout from tariffs if the president-elect follows through on his threat.

“Everything that American consumers buy from Canada is suddenly going to become a lot more expensive and that’s something we need to focus on a little bit more,” he said.

WATCH | Trudeau on Canada as 51st state: “This will never happen”:

Trudeau on Canada as the 51st state: “This will never happen”

In a visit to Washington, DC, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to make Canada the 51st state, saying that one of the ways Canadians define themselves is ” We are Canadians because we are not Americans, and that is not going to change.

Ottawa is they prepare a list of hundreds of American goods — including steel, plastics and orange juice — that Canada is considering hitting with retaliatory tariffs, according to a senior Canadian government source.

Trudeau told Tapper that the government was preparing to retaliate if Trump followed through on his tariff threat, as Canada did during his previous administration.

The prime minister was in Washington on Thursday for the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. Trump was also present, but the two did not speak. Speaking briefly to reporters, Trudeau repeated much of what he said on CNN and did not take questions.

Although this is Trudeau’s first appearance on American network television since Trump issued his threat of tariffs, some of Canada’s premiers — notably Doug Ford of Ontario and Danielle Smith of Alberta – have made several appearances in recent weeks to make the case against the tariffs.

Poilievre outlines his plan to deal with Trump’s threats

Moments before Trudeau’s interview, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre held a campaign-style press conference in which he explained how to counter Trump’s threats.

Among the points he listed in his prepared remarks, Poilievre said he would offer more energy to power the American technology industry, lower taxes to stimulate investment in Canada and make the economy “more independent and less vulnerable to threats from abroad”.

“We will stand up and declare clearly that Canada is a sovereign and independent country – that we will protect our integrity as a nation through force,” he said.

Poilievre also promised to take the case against the tariffs directly to American union workers and business leaders.

“We have to go to American workers in the Midwest and their unions and business leaders and say, ‘How many jobs are you willing to lose by hitting Canadian energy with tariffs?’ “, he said.

WATCH | Poilievre explains why he thinks “Ax the Tax” is the question of the ballot box:

Poilievre explains why he thinks “Axe the Tax” is the question of the ballot box

The leader of the Conservative Party Pierre Poilievre says he believes the question of a carbon tax is important to Canadian voters because it could result in Canadian resource companies moving jobs and money south to the United States. added that massive energy tax cuts are needed to bring production back. Canada.

While taking questions from reporters, Poilievre was asked if he has or plans to speak to Americans to make his case against the tariffs.

“Look, I’m not the prime minister. I respectfully ask the Canadian people to serve in that role,” he said in response.

Poilievre — who has a considerable lead over the Liberals in the polls — called on Trudeau to call an election immediately.

“I need the mandate, the mandate to put our country first, to make the case to Americans,” he said.

Thursday was the first time Poilievre spoke to reporters since Trudeau announced he would resign. The Conservative leader argued that it doesn’t matter who the Liberals choose as their new leader because “I’m just like Justin”.