Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Ottawa’s retaliation against the U.S. after President Donald Trump’s administration imposed sweeping import tariffs on Canada on Saturday.Here’s a look back at the fast-moving events of the day: 9:50 p.m. EST: Full list of affected American imports to comeThe list of American goods set to be tariffed by the Canadian government has yet to be provided to reporters, but the Prime Minister’s Office says it’s expected tomorrow. 9:40 p.m. EST: Are Trump’s tariffs about border security?When asked by a reporter if Trump’s tariffs were actually about border security, Trudeau says, “We have one of the strongest, more secure borders in the world, between Canada and the United States.” He adds that “it doesn’t mean there isn’t more to do,” and why Ottawa has invested $3 billion in strengthening the borders. “I understand the preoccupation the American president has with fentanyl deaths, we share those preoccupations. We’ve seen far too many communities across our country devastated by toxic drug supplies, by fentanyl, by opioid addictions.” Trudeau said they’ve taken action over the years but is willing to do more. 9:11 p.m. EST: Justin Trudeau responds to Trump tariffs on CanadaIn retaliation for U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Canada is responding with 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing the federal government’s phased countermeasures in an address to Canadians from Parliament Hill. In his comments, Trudeau noted the “real” consequences for Americans after Trump’s actions. The major announcement comes on the heels of weeks of anticipation and diplomatic efforts to avoid this moment, and after Trudeau meet with his cabinet and premiers on Saturday to discuss the national and historic response. 8:40 p.m. EST: Made in Canada signsCanadian-Armenian singer-songwriter Raffi Cavoukian, a popular children’s singer, shared a post on X showing a Made in Canada sign at a local grocer. 8:03 p.m. EST: U.S. anthem booed at Ottawa Senators gameDuring the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner, Ottawa Senators fans were heard booing the U.S. anthem before taking on the Minnesota Wild. It comes hours after Trump announced tariffs on Canadian imports. 7:42 p.m. EST: B.C. Premier orders liquor stores to halt import from red statesBritish Columbia Premier David Eby called Trump’s tariffs a “complete betrayal of the historic bond between our countries.” Addressing reporters, Eby said he too is concerned about fentanyl but “this isn’t the way” to address the issue. He called what Trump is doing an “unprecedented attack.” And said he’s ordered B.C. liquor stores to immediately stop buying American liquor from red states, and has directed the government and its Crown corporations including health authorities to immediately stop buying American goods. Eby said he fully supports the federal government rolling out a “comprehensive, targeted set of national tariffs against American products. 7:36 p.m. EST: Trudeau confirms Trump tariffs on social mediaPrime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on social media Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canadians imports. “I’ve met with the Premiers and our Cabinet today, and I’ll be speaking with President Sheinbaum of Mexico shortly,” Trudeau posted on X. “We did not want this, but Canada is prepared.” 7:25 p.m. EST: Liberal leadership candidates weigh inLiberal leadership hopefuls former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney and former House leader Karina Gould have made statements in response to Trump’s tariffs. Carney, in a press release, said the tariffs are a “clear violation of our trade agreements and require the most serious trade and economic responses in our history.” “Canada will not bow down to a bully,” he said, adding that he supports dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs. Gould, in a statement on X, said Canada has been America’s greatest ally for generations, adding, “This is not how you treat your friends.” She encouraged Canadians to buy products made in Canada, and should she be elected prime minister, she would co-ordinate with “provincial and territorial counterparts and business leaders to create a list of products that are made in Canada.” 6:50 p.m. EST: PM Justin Trudeau to speak at 8:30 p.m. ESTThe Prime Minister’s Office has announced that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will now be responding to U.S. tariffs on Canada, at 8:30 p.m. EST. He will be joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, and Public Safety Minister David McGuinty.Trudeau will take questions following the announcement. 6:48 p.m.: Alcohol stakeholders ‘deeply concerned’“We are deeply concerned that U.S. tariffs on imported spirits from Canada and Mexico will significantly harm all three countries and lead to a cycle of retaliatory tariffs that negatively impacts our shared industry,” the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., the Chamber of the Tequila Industry, and Spirits Canada on Tariffs on Imports from Canada and Mexico said in a joint statement. Maintaining reciprocal duty-free access for all distilled spirits is “crucial for supporting jobs” they went on to say. “Our industries have thrived due to the level playing field established across our borders.” 6:30 p.m. EST: Manitoba Premier Kinew weighs inManitoba Premier Wab Kinew says Trump “built a wall, but it’s a wall targeting us,” he said in response to the U.S. president’s tariffs. Posting on X, Kinew stressed the importance for Canadians to stand together and unite. “Manitoba fully supports the federal government’s response to these tariffs,” he adds. 5:55 p.m. EST: Singh says ‘economic attack’ will not break CanadaFederal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh responded to the new tariffs on social media Saturday evening, saying that the order “will hurt all of us - and Americans.” “Our values and our solidarity will not crumble in the face of Donald Trump’s economic attack,” he wrote in a post on X. “Now is a time for Canadians to stand strong and stand together … Canada is strong. Canadians are united.” 5:50 p.m. EST: Trump addresses tariffs on Truth SocialThe U.S. president posted a statement to his Truth Social account confirming sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. “We need to protect Americans, and it’s my duty as President to ensure the safety for all,” Trump wrote. “I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.” 5:46 p.m. EST: Alt. premier disappointed in Trump’s decisionAlberta Premier Danielle Smith took to X to share her disappointment with Trump’s tariff decision, saying it “will harm Canadians and Americans alike,” and strain the relationship between both countries. Smith says “Alberta will do everything in its power... to reverse this mutually destructive policy,” but will continue its diplomatic efforts to “persuade the U.S. President.” 5:40 p.m. EST White House issues ‘fact sheet’ on tariffsAccording to a White House “fact sheet,” Trump is imposing the tariffs to address a national “emergency situation,” and “public health crisis.” “The extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA),” reads the Trump administration’s rationale. “President Trump is taking bold action to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country.” |