Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unleashed a scathing rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, branding Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian imports “very dumb” and accusing him of appeasing Russia’s Vladimir Putin while attacking a key ally. The escalating war of words and retaliatory measures between the two leaders marks a stark unraveling of global diplomacy, with Trudeau vowing Canada won’t bow to U.S. pressure.
Hours after Trump imposed the tariffs at midnight—25% on Canadian and Mexican goods, 10% on Canadian energy—Trudeau fired back in a fiery news conference. “Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest friend,” he said, visibly incensed. “At the same time, they’re cozying up to Putin, a lying, murderous dictator. Does that make sense?” Trudeau announced retaliatory tariffs on over USD 100 billion of U.S. goods, signaling Canada’s defiance as he prepares to leave office.
Trump hit back swiftly on Truth Social: “Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the US, our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!” The post escalated tensions, with Trump’s jab at Trudeau’s title—a deliberate slight—underscoring the personal animus driving this diplomatic collapse.
Trudeau didn’t mince words, addressing Trump directly: “Donald, even the Wall Street Journal says this is a very dumb thing to do, and you’re a smart guy.” He accused Trump of aiming to “ruin the Canadian economy” and annex the country—a charge Trump has mused about publicly—vowing, “We will never be the 51st state.” Trudeau rallied Canadians, urging them to shun U.S. vacations and products, while hockey fans have taken to booing the American anthem.
The back-and-forth spiraled further as Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened a 25% tax on electricity exports powering 1.5 million U.S. homes and hinted at cutting off nickel supplies. Trump’s tariffs, tied to dubious claims about fentanyl and immigration, have shredded decades of trust, plunging North American relations into chaos and rattling global markets.