Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the bordering nation is crucial to President Trump’s “golden age” during a Tuesday press conference in Montebello, Quebec.
“The President has said that he wants usher in a golden age for the United States. That will require more steel and aluminum, more critical minerals, more reliable and affordable energy, more of everything to run the U.S. economy full steam ahead,” Trudeau told reporters.
He pointed out those resources could be sourced from Canada, as opposed to buying them from Venezuela, China or Russia.
“Canada is a safe, secure and reliable partner in an uncertain world.”
Trump declared he would usher in a “golden age” for America during his inaugural address. While he did not sign any executive actions involving tariffs during his first day in office, he warned that they could be expected in early February.
“We are thinking in terms of 25 percent on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing vast numbers of people … to come in, and fentanyl to come in,” Trump said Monday, when asked while signing executive orders.
However, both countries have maintained that they are not a threat to the U.S. economy or its citizens and have pushed back on Trump’s proposed tariffs on imported goods, which they say would be detrimental for American families and product affordability.
Trudeau also noted his administration’s $1 billion comprehensive plan to address the trafficking of fentanyl through border security measures in an effort to ease Trump’s concerns.
The Canadian prime minister recently agreed to resign from his post once a new party leader was named but affirmed the nation would not be forced into a deficient trade relationship with the U.S.
“Of course, if the president does choose to proceed with tariffs on Canada, Canada will respond. Everything is on the table,” Trudeau stated.
Canada and the U.S. are each other’s largest trade partners, and the prime minister said he is looking forward to continuing a mutually beneficial relationship.
“We are strongest when we work together, and I look forward to working with President Trump, his administration, members of the United States Congress, and officials at the state and local levels to deliver prosperity for our peoples – while protecting and defending the interests of Canadians,” Trudeau said in a statement congratulating Trump on his inauguration.
