Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Canada Relieved Trump Doesn’t Impose Tariffs on the Major US Trading Partner on First Day
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 3 months ago on
January 20, 2025

The inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump plays live on screens in the lobby of a building in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press via AP)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

TORONTO — Canadian leaders expressed relief Monday that broad tariffs were not applied to Canadian products on the first day of Donald Trump’s presidency and that he did not mention America’s major trading partner during his inaugural speech.

Trump had threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and other trading partners. An incoming White House official who insisted on anonymity pointed reporters to a Wall Street Journal story saying Trump will only sign a memorandum telling federal agencies to study trade issues.

Still, Trump pledged in his inaugural address that tariffs would be coming and said foreign countries would be paying the trade penalties, even though those taxes are currently paid by domestic importers and often passed along to consumers.

Finance Minister Said Reprieve Is Too Strong of a Word

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said reprieve is too strong of a word but said he felt good.

“If they decide to take a close look at the U.S. Canadian relationship when it comes to trade that’s a very good thing,” LeBlanc said at a Cabinet retreat in Montebello, Quebec. “Both countries are stronger and more secure when we respect and honor the comprehensive free trade agreement.”

Trump said he would establish an external revenue service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues and that it would lead to “massive amounts of money pouring into our country coming from foreign sources.”

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said they are “very cautious” but they know they can make sure it is a win-win relationship.

Danielle Smith, the premier of Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta, said she was “pleased to see that today President Donald Trump has decided to refrain from imposing tariffs on Canadian goods at this time as they study the issue further.”

“We appreciate the implied acknowledgement that this is a complex and delicate issue with serious implications for American and Canadian workers,” Smith said in a post on X.

Smith said avoiding tariffs will save hundreds of thousands of Canadian and American jobs across every sector. “Despite the promising news today, the threat of U.S. tariffs is still very real,” she posted.

Canadian Ambassador Said She Was ‘Pleased’

Canada’s ambassador to Washington, Kristen Hillman, also said she was “pleased” and “cautiously optimistic.”

“Nobody is giving us any assurances,” Hillman told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. “We will feel better when I think we see the details of what he’s asking for in terms of a study.”

Hillman said she would return to Canada on Tuesday to brief the Cabinet.

Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 75% of Canada’s exports, which include automobiles and parts, go to the U.S.

Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day.

Despite Trump’s claim that the U.S doesn’t need Canada, a quarter of the oil America consumes per day is from there.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

DON'T MISS

Is It Bad to Chew Gum All Day?

DON'T MISS

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

DON'T MISS

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

DON'T MISS

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

DON'T MISS

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

DON'T MISS

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

DON'T MISS

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

DON'T MISS

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

DON'T MISS

Israel’s AI Experiments in the War in Gaza Raise Ethical Concerns

UP NEXT

Is It Bad to Chew Gum All Day?

UP NEXT

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

UP NEXT

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

UP NEXT

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

UP NEXT

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

UP NEXT

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

UP NEXT

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

UP NEXT

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

UP NEXT

Israel’s AI Experiments in the War in Gaza Raise Ethical Concerns

UP NEXT

Paul Skenes Strikes Out 9, Wins Duel With Yamamoto in Pirates’ Victory Over Dodgers

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

15 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

15 hours ago

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

19 hours ago

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

19 hours ago

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

19 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

19 hours ago

Israel’s AI Experiments in the War in Gaza Raise Ethical Concerns

19 hours ago

Paul Skenes Strikes Out 9, Wins Duel With Yamamoto in Pirates’ Victory Over Dodgers

19 hours ago

Eovaldi Outlasts Verlander as Rangers Beat Giants

20 hours ago

Rams Take Oregon Tight End Terrance Ferguson in Second Round After Trading Out of First

20 hours ago

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

President Donald Trump said Saturday that Russia’s escalating bombardment of Ukraine had left him concerned that Russia did not want to end ...

14 hours ago

14 hours ago

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

14 hours ago

Is It Bad to Chew Gum All Day?

14 hours ago

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

15 hours ago

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

15 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

19 hours ago

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

19 hours ago

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

19 hours ago

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend