In a strong challenge to US trade policies, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has threatened to ignore all retaliatory tariffs, until President Donald Trump removes tariffs on Canadian imports.
A senior Canadian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Trudeau made this clear in a midday call to Trump on March 5. “We don’t care about dealing halfway on this. Canada wants all these tariffs taken off entirely, Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford sided with Trudeau, pointing out that Canada had not caused this economic confrontation. “Zero tariffs or nothing. This is an economic attack, initiated by President’s Trump, Ford’s declared. 
US President Donald Trump increased trade tensions by introducing 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada and a 10% charge on energy from Canada with immediate retaliation from the affected countries. However, Trump has allowed a reprieve for US car manufacturers and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said more reprieves could be offered.
At the same time, some Canadian provinces, for example Manitoba, have prohibited resale of American liquor in reaction to the tariffs. According to political analysts, Trudeau’s consistent tone with Canadians see Trump’s trade policies as unfair. “Quand Canada résiste à la harassment économique,”entedit le professeur de McGill Daniel Bélænd.
As Trump vows further “reciprocal” tariffs in a week or so, the stand-off between the two North American friends is showing no signs of abating.
