Canada has reaffirmed its significance to the United States shortly after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to impose steep tariffs on all goods coming from its neighbor once he returns to office in January.
In a joint statement, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc emphasized the longstanding and vital relationship between the two countries, particularly in trade and border security.
“Canada and the United States share one of the strongest and most important partnerships, especially when it comes to trade and securing our shared border,” the ministers said. “Canada prioritizes border security and the integrity of our mutual border,” they added.
The statement highlighted the “balanced and mutually beneficial” ties between the nations, pointing out that Canada plays a crucial role in U.S. energy supply. “Last year, 60 percent of U.S. crude oil imports came from Canada,” they noted.
The ministers also highlighted ongoing cooperation between Canadian and U.S. law enforcement to combat the flow of fentanyl from China and other countries.
“We will, of course, continue to engage with the incoming administration on these important issues,” the statement concluded.
However, the ministers did not directly address Trump’s earlier remarks. In a post on Truth Social, the platform he founded, Trump declared that he would sign an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from both Mexico and Canada, citing concerns over crime and drugs being brought into the U.S. from these borders.