US-Tariff Crisis: Canadian PM’s Hardline Stance Seen as Desperate Attempt to Cling to Power
US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Engage in Tense Phone Call Over Fentanyl and Tariffs
In a lengthy phone call, US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the pressing issues of fentanyl smuggling and trade, with the conversation ending in a “somewhat friendly” manner, according to Trump’s account. The call, which lasted around 50 minutes, was joined by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Vice President JD Vance, as reported by Reuters.
Trump claimed that Trudeau was seeking to use the tariff dispute to stay in power, citing the upcoming Canadian leadership contest. The Canadian Prime Minister announced his resignation in January, with the Liberal Party set to choose his successor this weekend. Trump further alleged that Trudeau was unable to provide a clear answer to his question about the election date, adding fuel to speculation that the Prime Minister is looking to exploit the tariff issue to remain in office.
The conversation reportedly centered on fentanyl trafficking, with Trump expressing his frustration over the lack of progress made by Canada in addressing the issue. “I told him that many people have died from fentanyl that came through the borders of Canada and Mexico, and nothing has convinced me that it has stopped. He said it’s gotten better, but I said that’s not good enough,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trudeau, on the other hand, has maintained that the tariffs imposed by the US are unjustified and refuses to lift Canada’s retaliatory tariffs unless the US revokes its own tariffs completely. “We’re not interested in meeting in the middle and having some reduced tariff. Canada wants the tariffs removed,” said Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc in a statement to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
The tense phone call comes amid ongoing trade tensions between the two nations, with the US imposing 10% tariffs on Canadian energy imports and 25% on all other goods, and Canada retaliating with 25% tariffs on $30 billion worth of US imports. The Canadian Prime Minister has vowed to target an additional $125 billion worth of US goods in 21 days if necessary. As the situation remains fluid, it remains to be seen how the two leaders will continue to address the complex issues of fentanyl trafficking and trade.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/good-luck-donald-trump-says-justin-trudeau-using-tariff-disputes-to-stay-in-power-101741198992985.html
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Publish Date: 2025-03-06 04:39:00
