Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called President Trump's new tariffs "insulting" in a "Meet the Press" interview Sunday. How, he wondered aloud, did Canada suddenly become a national security threat to the United States?
The U.S. and Canada “fought and died together on the beaches of World War II, on the mountains of Afghanistan and have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in some of the most difficult places in the world, that are always there for each other, this is insulting to that,” Trudeau said of the tariffs.
Trump placed new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union last week as a part of his "fair trade" agenda.
FAIR TRADE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2018
The United States must, at long last, be treated fairly on Trade. If we charge a country ZERO to sell their goods, and they charge us 25, 50 or even 100 percent to sell ours, it is UNFAIR and can no longer be tolerated. That is not Free or Fair Trade, it is Stupid Trade!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2018
Trump is also considering $50 billion tariffs on Chinese goods. If he goes through with it, it could jeopardize the trade talks between the two countries, China warned. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is currently in Beijing meeting with Chinese negotiators.
Some top Republicans like GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy defended the tariffs this weekend. Every country on their tariff list, he argued, is taking advantage of the trade process. Yes, even allies like Canada.
"If you are talking about Canada, look what they do when it comes to our dairy products,” he said. “Our wine cannot sit on their supermarkets.”
The targeted countries are considering retaliatory tariffs.