Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
Following a phone conversation Tuesday afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that U.S. President Donald Trump is pausing threatened 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.
“I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl,” Trudeau wrote on X Monday afternoon. “Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.”
Also, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering.
“I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million,” Trudeau said. “Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together.”
RESCON condemns tariffs, warns of negative impact on homebuilding
Trump said he is “very pleased” with the initial outcome of his tariff threat following his phone conversation this afternoon with Trudeau and confirms the levies will be paused for 30 days.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said over the next 30 days, the two countries will see whether a “final Economic deal” can be reached.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said during an interview on CNN that “cooler heads” prevailed following the announcement earlier in the day from U.S. President Donald Trump that he was pausing promised tariffs on Canadian goods.
He says the only people who get rewarded when there’s a dispute between “two of the closest and friends and allies in the world” is China.
Ford also appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press, standing in front of a “Canada is not for sale” banner.
“A 30-day pause in tariffs offers more time for negotiations and more time for cooler heads to prevail,” Ford said. “Instead of fighting each other, we need to work together to make Canada and the U.S. the richest, most successful, safest, most secure two countries on the planet.”
As a result of the agreement, the provincial government has also paused plans to cancel a $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink to improve rural broadband. Ford said earlier today he wouldn’t work with people who “destroy” Canadian families, incomes and businesses.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s “greatly heartened” that the U.S. and Canada have agreed to crack down on fentanyl trafficking and other illegal activities at the border.
Smith says the appointment of a “fentanyl czar” is something her government has been calling for since it became clear in their discussions with U.S. lawmakers and officials that it would be a key part of reaching a deal to avoid tariffs.
She repeated calls for provincial and federal leaders to “de-escalate rhetoric” and to focus on diplomacy.
Quebec Premier François Legault welcomes the “good news” but laments that “uncertainty remains.”
Legault says “what’s annoying” about dealing with Trump “is that there’s always this sword hanging over our heads.”
The premier says that if the tariffs are imposed, he will not hesitate to launch retaliatory action, including prohibiting American companies from provincial procurement contracts and taking the booze back off the shelves.
