Trump's imposition on trade tariffs 'unacceptable': Canada PM Trudeau
Ottawa, Mar 3 (IBNS): Echoing the words of Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has termed the imposition of trade tariffs as "unacceptable", media reports said.
Trudeau made the coment after the US took a decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from all other countries.
Trudeau was quoted by CBC News, "We will continue to engage with all levels of the American administration in the coming days so that they understand that this proposal is unacceptable."
Trudeau has also said he had raised the issue with his US counterpart Trump number of times in the past.
He has also warned earlier that the decision would "significantly disrupt" the supply chain from Canada.
Trump on Thursday announced an imposition of 25% and 10% tariffs on imported steel and aluminium respectively.
Freeland said "responsive measures" will be taken if Canada is not exempted at the last minute.
She said: "It is entirely inappropriate to view any trade with Canada as a national security threat to the United States. We will always stand up for Canadian workers and Canadian businesses. Should restrictions be imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum products, Canada will take responsive measures to defend its trade interests and workers.”
"It is entirely inappropriate to view any trade with Canada as a national security threat to the United States. We will always stand up for Canadian workers and Canadian businesses" Freeland added.
Trump said he will formally impose the tariffs in the next week.
The tariffs plan is yet to receive the signature of the US President.
Trump hopes the imposition of tariffs will help him to bring back jobs to the US which he alleged to have been stolen by other countries that acted unfairly.
Trump was quoted by Toronto Star, "People have no idea how badly our country has been treated by other countries, by people representing us that didn’t have a clue. Or if they did, then they should be ashamed of themselves because they’ve destroyed the steel industry, they’ve destroyed the aluminum industry, and other industries, frankly."
Following the announcement of Trump, US steel and aluminium companies have cheered but companies which greatly depend on the imported goods have warned of price hikes and job losses.
Canada still can hope for a last minute exemption as it was done in 2002 when then US President George W. Bush had imposed a tariff on steel imports.
Image: instagram.com/justinpjtrudeau
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