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A former top Canadian official has criticized President Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, calling it an act of “economic warfare” that will harm both nations and strain long-standing diplomatic ties.

Some shit you should know before you read: Over the weekend, the United States officially notified Canada of its decision to impose 25% tariffs on nearly all Canadian imports, citing concerns over illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling as justification. President Trump has demanded that Canada take stronger action to curb fentanyl trafficking across the northern border despite data showing relatively low fentanyl seizure rates compared to the southern border. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called the tariffs an unjustified economic attack on America’s closest ally and has vowed that Canada would retaliate with its own 25% counter-tariffs on $155 billion worth of US goods.

Chrystia Freeland source X

What’s going on now: During an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland denounced President Trump’s tariffs as “utter madness” and “a betrayal of America’s closest friend“, arguing that they would ultimately hurt American consumers. She dismissed Trump’s justification for the tariffs as “utterly ludicrous,” stressing that fentanyl smuggling at the northern border is minimal compared to other sources. Freeland warned that Canada is united and resolute in its response, saying, “We’re hurt, for sure, because we’re your friends and neighbors, but most of all, we’re angry… We’re going to fight for our country, and we’re going to be successful.” She also criticized the economic logic behind the move, pointing out that “by putting tariffs on the stuff that Canada sells you, you are going to hurt Americans… That’s a tax on groceries. They’re going to be more expensive.”

Beyond Canada’s 25% counter-tariffs on $155 billion worth of US goods, individual provinces have also taken action. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a ban on US companies receiving government contracts and canceled a $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink that was meant to provide rural internet access. Meanwhile, Quebec imposed a 25% surcharge on American firms bidding for government contracts, making it nearly impossible for them to qualify, and directed the province’s liquor board to remove all American products from store shelves starting Tuesday. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante also stated that the city is exploring additional measures to penalize US businesses in response to what she called “an unjustified attack on our economy.”

TRUMP JUSTIN

This all comes as President Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are expected to speak today in a last-minute effort to negotiate a deal that could prevent the tariffs from taking effect. High-level talks are also taking place between senior US and Canadian officials, with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio scheduled to discuss potential compromises. Despite the diplomatic efforts, Canada has made it clear that it will not back down without significant concessions, with Trudeau previously stating that his government “will always stand up for Canadian workers and businesses.”

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