White House to Impose Metal Tariffs on E.U., Canada and Mexico

In Economy, FOREIGN RELATIONS On

Curators Note: The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, delivered the following speech on May 31 in response to the US actions to promote a trade war with one of our best allies in the world.

 

“Today, we find ourselves the target of punitive tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, under pretext of a 232 National Security Provision.

Let me be clear. These tariffs are totally unacceptable.

For 150 years, Canada has been the United States’ most steadfast ally. Canadians and Americans fought along side of each other during both World Wars and in Korea. From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, we have fought and died together. 

Canadian personnel are serving along side Americans at this very moment. We are partners in NORAD, NATO and around the world.

We came to America’s aid after 911, as Americans have come to our aid in the past, and we’re fighting together against DAESH in Northern Iraq.

The numbers are clear. The United States has a two billions U.S. dollar surplus in steel trade with Canada. And Canada buys more Americans steel than any other country in the world. Indeed, we account for half of U.S. steel exports. 

Canada is a supplier of aluminum and steel  to the U.S. defense industry putting aluminum in American planes and steel in American tanks.

That Canada could be considered a national security threat to the United States—is inconceivable.

These tariffs will harm industries and workers on both sides of the  Canada/US border, disrupting linked supply chains that have made North American steel and aluminum more competitive all around the world.

These tariffs are an affront to the longstanding security partnerships between Canada and United States, and in particular—an affront to the thousands of Canadians who have fought and died along side their American comrades in arms. The ties of commerce, friendship and in many cases, family, between Americans and Canadians are undimished. Indeed, they have never been stronger.

The government of Canada is confident that shared values, geography and common interests will ultimately overcome protectionism. As we have constantly said, we will always protect Canadian workers and Canadian interests.

Minister Freeland is here to outline our retaliatory measures. This morning we contacted the opposition leaders to inform them of my response.

In closing, I want to be  very clear on one thing. Americans remain our partners, our allies and our friends. This is not about the American people. We have to believe that at some point, common sense will prevail. But we see no sign of that today—from this administration.”-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

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