Trumps economic threats real, Canada will respond seriously: ministers – National [Video]

Canadian cabinet ministers say the economic threats that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is making are “real” and are being taken “very seriously.”

On Tuesday, Trump told reporters he was not backing down on tariffs, which he initially tied to demands for increased border security from both Canada and Mexico, saying “millions of people” were pouring into the U.S. and claiming drugs were coming through “at record numbers.”

“We’re going to make up for that by putting tariffs on Mexico and Canada, substantial tariffs,” Trump said.

The president-elect was asked whether he would use military force to “annex and acquire” Canada and responded: “No, economic force.”

That followed previous comments about making Canada a U.S. state.

Asked by reporters on Wednesday as they headed into a Liberal caucus meeting about Trump’s latest comments, multiple Canadian cabinet ministers said they believe his economic threats are “real.”

“We are taking it seriously and we will respond seriously as well,” International Trade …