US President-elect Donald Trump has warned to slap Canada with 25 percent tariffs if it does not act against the flow of immigrants and drugs into the US. However, "governor" Justin Trudeau has a response.
Amid the tariff row with Canada, US President-elect Donald Trump has taken another jibe at Justin Trudeau. Referring to the Canadian Prime Minister as "Governor Justin Trudeau of the great state of Canada," Trump once eluded towards making its northern neighbour the 51st state of the United States.
However, Justin Trudeau has now responded to Trump's warning and stated that the tariffs on Canada would not only hit the country's economy, but also make life for Americans more expensive.
Trump's comments follow Trudeau's visit to Florida, where the Canadian PM challenged the 25 percent cut, stating that it would "kill" the economy.
During their meeting in November, Trump joked with Trudeau and stated that if the tariffs should "kill the Canadian economy," Canada can merge with the US as the 51st state.
Revisiting his joke at Mar-a-Lago, Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday to take another jibe at Trudeau.
"It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in-depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all."
Trump's joke eluded to the dinner with Trudeau on November 30 at the President-elect's official residence in Florida - Mar-a-Lago.
During the meeting, Trump warned Trudeau that Canada will be met with these tariffs if the government does not act against immigrants and drugs crossing over into the United States. A similar warning was given to Mexico.
In response to Trump's statement, PM Justin Trudeau stated that 25 percent tariffs will be "devastating" for Canada. However, the prime minister added that the real hardship will be faced by the American people.
"Trump got elected on a commitment to make life better and more affordable for Americans, and I think people south of the border are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive,” said Trudeau.
Trudeau added that while the tariffs would hurt Canada and its economy, it would hit the US harder.
"Americans import 65% of their crude oil from Canada, significant amounts of electricity. Just about all the natural gas exported from Canada goes to the United States. They rely on us for steel and aluminum. They rely on us for a range of agriculture imports. All of those things would get more expensive," said the Liberal leader.