WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that his threatened 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods entering the United States was set to go into effect at midnight on Tuesday.
Trump made the announcement Monday afternoon, telling reporters at the White House that tariffs of 25 per cent on Canada and 25 per cent on Mexico will start.
He added that there would be no last-minute reprieve.
“They’re all set, they go into effect (Tuesday).”
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada’s retaliatory package is ready to roll.
“We are ready with $155 billion worth of tariffs and we are ready with the first tranche of tariffs, which is $30 billion,” Joly said.
Joly was set to meet with the full cabinet to review further options Monday night.
“There are thousands of jobs in Canada at stake. Now, we’ve done the work, we are ready,” Joly said.
Recently re-elected Premier Doug Ford promised to cut U.S. access to electricity exports from Ontario as retaliation.
Stock markets in the U.S. and Canada dropped on Monday.