Summary
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced Trump’s sudden 25% tariffs, warning they threaten American jobs and will inflate consumer costs.
He revealed that Trump refuses to take his calls and sharply criticized claims linking tariffs to illegal immigration and fentanyl crossing U.S. borders.
In retaliation, Canada and Mexico imposed matching tariffs, targeting crucial American exports like auto parts, agriculture, and red-state staples like famous Kentucky bourbon.
Trudeau warned American factories may shut, citing integrated supply chains.
A telephone call requires him to respond without his team in the loop. He’s not opening himself up to that.
Since taking office I’m getting more and more convinced that he’s in two modes. Teleprompter mode, where his words have been agreed upon by his team, and twitter rant, where he’s just spouting his own bile.
He never speaks candidly in person since winning the election. Even the press room statement after the air crash was a prepared piece with all the hate baked in. Sure he took some questions but they were predictable and mainly deflected.