Canada, Mexico, China slam Trump’s tariff threats: ‘No One Wins’
Officials from Canada, Mexico, and China have strongly warned US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs could destabilize the economies of all four countries. Trump announced his plan to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. He argued the move was necessary to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the tariffs, stating they would lead to retaliatory measures that could harm mutual businesses. She emphasized that tariffs and threats would not address the root causes of migration or drug consumption. She also pointed out the interlinked economies, particularly the car manufacturing sector, which would suffer due to the tariffs.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also voiced his concerns, urging a cooperative approach with the US. He discussed trade and border security with Trump, noting that the number of migrants crossing into Canada was much smaller compared to the US-Mexico border. Trudeau’s government was ready to address concerns in a methodical, calm manner, without overreacting.
Meanwhile, China rejected accusations from the US regarding fentanyl trafficking, stating it has cooperated with the US to verify and tackle such issues. China’s embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu affirmed that China’s trade with the US was mutually beneficial and not conducive to a trade war.
In Canada, provincial leaders echoed concerns about the potential impact on jobs and industries that rely on US trade, such as oil and critical minerals. The Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso fell following Trump’s tariff threats, highlighting the economic concerns sparked by the looming trade dispute.
In response, Mexico’s President Sheinbaum warned that her country would retaliate with tariffs of its own, targeting US imports. Both Mexico and Canada stressed the importance of maintaining strong trade relationships and finding cooperative solutions, rather than escalating tensions.
