The current US president has stirred conversation on social media by offering advice to Canada on how to benefit from ‘much lower taxes’ and avoid new tariffs.
Recently, Donald Trump enacted an order that introduces significant tariffs to ‘hold China, Mexico, and Canada accountable for their commitments to curb the influx of harmful drugs into the US’.
This action imposes a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10 percent tax on imports from China. Additionally, Trump declared a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to reinforce these measures.
The tariffs will be implemented starting Tuesday, February 4th.
A statement released by the White House explains that the tariffs aim to ensure these countries fulfill their promises to prevent illegal immigration and stop the import of dangerous substances like fentanyl into the United States.
“There is growing production of fentanyl in Canada, and enough fentanyl was seized at the northern border last fiscal year to kill 9.8 million Americans,” the order claims. “Additionally, illegal border crossings from Canada reached historic new highs every year for the last four fiscal years.”
Canada has announced its intention to impose a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on CA $155 billion of American products. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remarked that this move will ‘have real consequences’ for ‘the American people’ and warned that the actions of the White House could lead to division rather than unity.
In response, Trump has suggested that Canada could avoid such tariffs by considering statehood as the ‘Cherished 51st State’.
In a Truth Social post on February 2, Trump shared his thoughts: “We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason.
“We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true!
“Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!”
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has issued a statement condemning the White House’s tariff announcement, dismissing claims that the Mexican government collaborates with criminal organizations.
In a press conference held on January 31st, Sheinbaum said: “We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, depending on what the government of the United States decides.
“It is very important for the people of Mexico to know that we will always defend the dignity of our people, that we will always defend respect for our sovereignty, and engage in dialogue as equals, as we have always stated, without subordination.”