Trudeau Meets Premiers Amid US Tariff Threat

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial premiers, are convening to formulate a response to his threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. Trudeau emphasized the importance of maintaining strong U.S.-Canada relations, asserting that a robust national response will be ready if necessary. Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that the tariffs could devastate the province's economy, potentially costing up to 500,000 jobs. The meeting also aims to discuss border security measures that Trudeau's government is implementing, which are seen as a response to concerns raised by Trump. Additionally, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly indicated that retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. are being considered as part of Canada's strategy. The urgency of the situation has grown as Trump has indicated these tariffs could be enacted through an executive order on his first day in office.