Alberta businesses could face tariffs on U.S. exports as soon as next month, according to U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest statements.
On Monday night, Trump told reporters he thinks his government will hit Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent tariffs on Feb. 1, calling Canada a “very bad abuser.”
“They’re allowing vast numbers of people … and fentanyl to come in,” said Trump.
Trump initially promised to impose tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods on his first day in office, but for the majority of the day, both countries seemed to avoid the export tax.
The latest tariff threat came as a surprise for Carlo Dade, director of trade with the Calgary-based Canada West Foundation.
“Unpredictability is the hallmark of Donald Trump,” he told CBC News.
“He needs to make an example of us. I think he needs not only to show us making concessions, but he needs to show that he will use tariffs.”
On Monday, Trump also issued a trade memo directing federal agencies to evaluate the U.S. trade relationship with China, Canada and Mexico, according to Reuters.
More to come