- Trump's threat linked to natural resources: Trudeau.
- PM's comments reported for the first time by Toronto Star.
- Canada emphasizes that he is a trusted partner.
Toronto: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that the talk of US President Donald Trump about Canada's absorption “is something real” and is linked to the country's rich natural resources, said a government source.
Trudeau made the comments during a closed session of commercial and labor leaders about the best way to respond to Trump's threats to Canadian import tariffs.
Their comments were first reported by the Toronto starwho said they were taken by mistake by a speaker.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada would be better if he agreed to become state 51 of the United States.
“They are very aware of our resources, what we have and want to benefit from them,” the Star He quoted Trudeau saying.
“But Mr. Trump takes into account that one of the easiest ways to do is absorb our country. And it is real.”
The government source confirmed that the StarThe account account was accurate.
Canada, who seeks to defend himself from the measures of the United States, has emphasized that he is a trusted partner and an important oil, mineral and other natural resources provider.
In open comments to journalists, Trudeau had previously said that Canada could face long -term political challenges with the United States, even if you can avoid the threat of Trump tariffs.
Trump said Monday that he would delay the imposition of Canadian export tariffs in 30 days in exchange for concessions on border and crime application, particularly by measuring fentanyl smuggling.
Trudeau said that Ottawa's immediate challenge was to persuade Washington that Canada was doing everything possible to combat fentanyl flow. Public data show that 0.2% of the entire supply of the medication seized in the United States comes from the Canadian border.
If tariffs were imposed, Canada would respond in kind, but its goal would always be that measures were eliminated as quickly as possible, Trudeau told business and labor leaders at the beginning of the meeting on how to diversify trade and boost the economy.
“The strategic reflection that we have to have at this time is […] How do we pass, and we prosper and strengthen in the next four years and in what can be a more challenging long -term political situation with the United States? “, Said.
Peter Navarro, a Trump senior commercial advisor, said this week that Canada had become a leading source of tax free drug shipments, also had “large” visa problems and had allowed people in the “list of list Terrorism surveillance “enter the United States. .
Canada sends 75% of all exports of goods and services to the south of the border, so it is very vulnerable to the sanctions of the United States.
Trudeau, echoing the long -standing complaints of the business community, said that internal commercial barriers between the 10 provinces were hindering the economy.
“This is one of those moments and opportunities where […] There is an open window due to the context in which we are. We have to jump through it, “he said.
