- Canadian officials are preparing for a possible trade war with the United States.
- Incoming US president hints at tariffs and “economic force.”
- Trudeau highlights bilateral ties but rejects merger rumors.
There is no “snowball chance” that Canada will merge with the United States, outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday, while his foreign minister added that the country will “never back down” from threats from Donald Trump. .
The comments from Trudeau and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly followed the US president-elect's statement at a news conference about using “economic force” in pursuit of his unlikely plan for Canada to merge with USA.
“There is no chance of Canada becoming part of the United States,” Trudeau reacted in X, while highlighting close bilateral security and trade ties.
Joly, for his part, accused Trump of showing with his statements “a complete lack of understanding” towards Canada.
“Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down from threats,” he said on the social media platform owned by Trump ally Elon Musk.
Trump spoke at a news conference on Tuesday, a day after Congress certified his election victory.
He also threatened military action to secure the Panama Canal and Greenland.
He had previously promised to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports when he takes office on January 20, which could be devastating for Canada as it sends 75 per cent of its exports to the United States.
When asked if he would use military force to subdue Canada, the incoming president said “no, economic force.”
Canadian officials are preparing to retaliate in what risks becoming a trade war.
