Canada Imposes 30 Trillion Won in Retaliatory Tariffs on US... Trump Warns of 'Counter-retaliation' [Comprehensive]

Canadian PM Trudeau on US Tariffs:

"A Foolish Act Without Basis or Necessity"

Mexico Also Announces Retaliatory Tariffs Against US

Global 'Tariff War' Intensifies

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on the 4th (local time) that Canada would immediately impose retaliatory tariffs on US imports worth 30 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 30 trillion won) in response to US President Donald Trump's 25% tariff, criticizing it as "a foolish act."

During the press conference, Prime Minister Trudeau stated that the Trump administration's tariffs "have absolutely no legitimate basis or necessity." Trudeau said he would file a complaint through the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute resolution mechanism and also raise objections through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) framework.

He also warned that if US tariffs continue, Canada would implement additional retaliatory tariffs on goods worth 125 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 125 trillion won) after 21 days. Trudeau's announcement came just hours after the Trump administration implemented new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China as scheduled, beginning at 12:01 AM Eastern Time.

The Trump-initiated tariffs are escalating into a 'war' as China and Mexico, along with Canada, have either implemented or announced retaliatory measures. China immediately announced retaliatory tariff measures primarily targeting US agricultural, livestock, and fishery products, including a 15% increase in tariffs on 29 items such as US chicken and a 10% increase on 711 items including sorghum. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also announced retaliatory tariffs, stating that specific items would be announced on the 9th.

US President Donald Trump immediately warned of 'counter-retaliation' against Canada's retaliatory tariffs. Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, "Can someone please explain to Canada's Governor Trudeau," adding, "If he imposes retaliatory tariffs on the United States, our reciprocal tariffs will immediately increase by the same amount."

By referring to Prime Minister Trudeau as a 'governor' rather than 'prime minister' – consistent with his previous claims that Canada should become the 51st US state – Trump threatened that if Canada retaliates, the US could impose additional tariffs on Canadian products imported into the United States.

Reporter Jong-hyun Song scream@hankyung.com