PM Trudeau Says Canada Is Pinched By Long-Term Political Challenges With Trump's Government

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with US President Donald Trump/DOCUMENTATION OF PHOTOs And Scavino via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada could face long-term political challenges with the United States even if Canada manages to evade tariff threats from US President Donald Trump

Trump previously said he would delay the tariff on Canadian exports for 30 days in exchange for concessions at the border and enforcement of crimes, particularly cracking down on fentanyl smuggling.

Trudeau said Ottawa's main challenge was to convince Washington, Canada to do everything they could to combat fentanyl flow.

Public data shows 0.2% of the entire supply of drugs seized in the US comes from the Canadian border.

If the tariff is in place, Canada will give the same response, but the goal is to remove the policy as soon as possible.

"The strategic reflection that we have to have right now is how can we get through, develop, and grow stronger in the next four years and enter a more challenging long-term political situation with the United States?" Trudeau said as quoted by Reuters, Friday, February 7.

Trump has repeatedly stated Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st US state.

Peter Navarro, Trump's senior trading adviser, said this week Canada has been the main source of sending small and duty-free drug shipments, also having "big visa issues" and allowing people on the "terrorism surveillance list" into the United States.

Canada sends 75 percent of all goods and services exports to the south of the border, making them very vulnerable to US sanctions.

Trudeau, who voiced old complaints from the business community, said internal trade barriers between 10 provinces hampered the economy.

"This is a moment and opportunity where... there is an open window because of the context we face. We have to jump over it," he said.

Before Trump lifted the tariff threat, Canadians canceled travel to the south of the border, boycotted alcohol and other US products, and even ridiculed the American team at sporting events.