Trade and borders | Trudeau and Trump had a “productive” conversation

(Ottawa) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that he had a “good” exchange with Donald Trump the day before, after the shock announcement by the American president-elect who wants to increase customs duties on Canadian products to 25%.

“We talked about the intense and fruitful ties between our two countries” and “the challenges on which we can work together,” added the head of the Canadian government to the press.

On Monday, Donald Trump announced on his social network that his first economic measures after his inauguration on January 20 will be to increase customs duties by 10% on products coming from China and to introduce 25% taxes on those coming from from Canada and Mexico.

A government source explained to AFP on Tuesday morning that the conversation between Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau had been “productive and constructive” and “focused on trade and border security”.

The two leaders pledged to “stay in touch,” according to the same source.

In this context, Justin Trudeau also announced that he had planned to meet this week with the prime ministers of the Canadian provinces, several of whom were alarmed by Mr. Trump’s announcement on Monday.

In the country, where 75% of exports go to the United States, the news sent a shock wave.

Quebec Prime Minister François Legault said this announcement represented “a huge risk” for the Canadian economy. His British Columbia counterpart, David Eby, said that “Ottawa must respond firmly.”