Uncertainty still hangs over the Canadian economy despite U.S. President Donald Trump announcing a 30-day pause in tariffs that were to take effect today.
The temporary reprieve halts SA国际影视传媒� at least for now SA国际影视传媒� a continental trade war that economists on both sides of the border warned would raise prices.
TrumpSA国际影视传媒檚 decision meant Canada and the provinces also halted their moves to retaliate including with tariffs and bans on U.S. alcohol sales north of the border.
Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy.
On Monday, following two phone calls with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump said the tariffs would be off the table for 30 days to see if the two countries could reach a SA国际影视传媒渇inal economic deal.SA国际影视传媒�
In his own social media post, Trudeau outlined his governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 $1.3 billion plan to address TrumpSA国际影视传媒檚 stated concerns about border security that Canada unveiled in December.
He also said nearly 10,000 front-line personnel SA国际影视传媒渁re and willSA国际影视传媒� be protecting CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 border, and announced $200 million in new initiatives to address fentanyl trafficking including a SA国际影视传媒渇entanyl czar.SA国际影视传媒�
Some of the border measures will be on display immediately.
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Terry Duguid, minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, will join Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew later this morning at the Emerson port of entry, where theySA国际影视传媒檒l see how the Canada Border Services Agency detects fentanyl and other toxic materials. TheySA国际影视传媒檒l also see a Black Hawk helicopter which the is now using to patrol the U.S. border in the province.
But the tariffs delay is not a long-term comfort for many in CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 labour and business communities.
Unifor, the countrySA国际影视传媒檚 largest private sector union, insists that TrumpSA国际影视传媒檚 threat of tariffs remains in effect, threatening Canadian jobs. National President Lana Payne calls for Canada to SA国际影视传媒渦se every single available lever to build a strong, resilient, and diverse economy.SA国际影视传媒�
The Business Council of Canada also notes that SA国际影视传媒渨ith a 30-day delay, much uncertainty remains.SA国际影视传媒�
President and CEO Goldy Hyder said it remains clear that Canada must SA国际影视传媒渁ct with urgency to improve our long-term economic prospects.SA国际影视传媒�
Quebec Premier Fran莽ois Legault complained that SA国际影视传媒渨hatSA国际影视传媒檚 annoyingSA国际影视传媒� about dealing with Trump SA国际影视传媒渋s that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 always this sword hanging over our heads.SA国际影视传媒�
He believes the events of the last few days emphasize the importance of diversifying markets and limiting Canadian dependence on American exports.
Canada has spent the last three months on a full-court press in Washington, D.C. and Mar-a-Lago, TrumpSA国际影视传媒檚 Florida resort, trying to push its case against tariffs. Despite the pause, that work continues.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson was set to be in Washington on Tuesday to deliver a speech on the future of energy in North America.
