On Feb 2, Canada's ambassador to the U.S. expressed hopes to Reuters that the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump would not be implemented on Tuesday. Despite this, the ambassador emphasized to ABC News that the Canadian public expects their government to firmly stand its ground in the trade dispute with Washington.
Canada retaliated on Saturday with tariffs on hundreds of billions in U.S. exports, including beer, wine, fruits, and fruit juices, in response to Trump's imposition of duties of 10% to 25% on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. Trump has accused Ottawa and Mexico City of not doing enough to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration into the U.S., allegations that they have denied.
Ambassador Kirsten Hillman stated in an interview that Canadians anticipate their government to assert itself in defending the agreements made with the United States. She stressed that Canada aims to avoid escalating the situation but recognizes the need to uphold its interests.
Trump has vowed to maintain the tariffs until what he refers to as a national emergency concerning fentanyl and illegal immigration is resolved. Hillman mentioned ongoing discussions between officials from both nations in an effort to prevent the tariffs from taking effect.
Additionally, Hillman conveyed the hope that American consumers would comprehend Canada's reluctant implementation of retaliatory measures. She emphasized that Canada is not inclined to pursue this path but feels compelled to respond accordingly.