Trudeau says tariffs to be paused for 30 days after Trump call
2 Min Read
In an X post Monday, Trudeau revealed there would be further cooperation between him and US President Donald Trump regarding the tariffs.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses media members after US President Donald Trump signed an order to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, in Ottawa on February 1, 2025. (AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he and US President Donald Trump had a "good" phone call, revealing that both leaders decided to postpone the application of the additional tariffs on Canada for the next 30 days while the nations work on a strategy to address cross-border crime.
In an X post Monday, Trudeau wrote "I just had a good call with President Trump," adding "Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together."
Trudeau announced that Canada will begin executing a $1.3 billion border strategy, which will include additional choppers and technologies to reinforce the border, announcing that almost 10,000 frontline officers will be sent to secure the border.
The PM stated that the Canadian government has vowed to appoint a Fentanyl Czar and invest $200 million to build a Joint Strike Force to combat cartels, organized crime, and the fentanyl issue.
The news follows Canada’s foreign minister warning the US it could be forced to purchase oil from geopolitical rivals like Venezuela if it disrupts trade with Canada.
Mélanie Joly told the Financial Times that if the US follows through on its threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, it would directly impact "real people" and harm relations between the two nations.
Regarding the heavy grades of oil produced in Venezuela and Canada on which American refineries depend, Joly said, "We ship oil at a discount which is, ultimately, refined in Texas. If it’s not us, it is Venezuela."
"There’s no other option on the table, and this administration doesn’t want to work with Venezuela," she added.
Joly was in Washington, leading Canada’s urgent effort to avert a full-scale trade war as President Trump reiterated his threat on Thursday to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting February 1.
President Trump suggested he might exempt oil imports from tariffs, acknowledging the US' reliance on Canada for crucial energy supplies.
Despite growing shale oil production, Canada provides about 20% of the oil consumed in the US and 60% of its imported crude, with US refineries relying on heavier oil from Canada or Venezuela.
