Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump had a phone call on Friday to discuss the ongoing issue of tariffs between the two countries.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Trudeau expressed his disappointment with the recent decision by the US to impose tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel. He also reiterated the importance of the Canada-US trade relationship and the negative impact that these tariffs could have on both economies.
The two leaders also discussed the importance of working together to address the global COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a coordinated North American approach to economic recovery.
Trudeau and Trump agreed to continue their dialogue on the issue of tariffs and to work towards finding a mutually beneficial solution. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the close and longstanding friendship between Canada and the US.
This phone call comes after the US announced on Thursday that it would be reimposing a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum, citing concerns about a surge in imports. Canada has strongly opposed this decision, with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland calling it “unwarranted and unacceptable.”
The Canadian government has also announced that it will be imposing retaliatory tariffs on US products worth $3.6 billion in response to the US tariffs on Canadian aluminum. These tariffs will take effect on September 16 and will remain in place until the US removes its tariffs on Canadian aluminum.
The issue of tariffs has been a contentious one between Canada and the US, with both countries imposing tariffs on each other’s products in recent years. This has caused strain on the historically close relationship between the two countries and has had negative impacts on businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.
Trudeau and Trump’s phone call is a step towards finding a resolution to this ongoing issue and maintaining the strong economic ties between Canada and the US. Both leaders have expressed their commitment to finding a mutually beneficial solution and will continue to work towards that goal.
