Canadian leaders adopt wait and see attitude on Trump’s 25% tariff threat

Ontario premier Doug Ford says Canada must use ‘every tool’ to strike back

– TRENTON, Canada- (AA)

Canada has adopted a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude on US President-elect Donald Trump’s 25% tariff threat but leaders will strike back if the threat is carried out.

“Everything is on the table,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canada’s provincial premiers at a meeting called to map out a strategy on how to respond to Trump’s threat. But first, it was decided to wait to see if Trump follows through with his threat after he is inaugurated next week.

At the meeting, Trudeau and the premiers talked about a list of CAN$150 billion (US$105 billion) in tariffs on US imports, the Toronto Star reported. The list would only be enacted after the public had a chance to comment on its content.

Canada also laid out measures to strengthen the border with Blackhawk helicopters and drones to help stem the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants into the US, a demand Trump said must be met or the US would invoke economically-crippling tariffs on imports of goods from the two countries.

Not all the 13 premiers were happy with the wait-and-see strategy. Ontario Premier Doug wanted stronger measures, the Toronto Star reported. Before the meeting, Ford wore a “Canada Is Not For Sale” ballcap, a message to Trump who has mused about Canada becoming the 51st US state.

“When they attack our country, when they attack our people, when they attack the jobs of hard-working Canadians, you cannot sit back and say, ‘Keep on attacking,’” he said. “You have to hit back with every single tool in our toolbox.”

Trudeau also announced that besides his resignation as prime minister and Liberal Party leader, he is getting out of politics and will not run in the next federal election in his district in Montreal.