U.S. will lose jobs no matter how high tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum get, Trudeau says [Video]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a trade war with Canada will cost the United States jobs regardless of whether U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs could go as high as 50 per cent on products such as steel.

The White House said this week that different sets of duties imposed on Canada will stack on top of each other. Trump has set 25-per-cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, due to take effect March 12, as he tries to coerce international manufacturers to relocate to the United States.

This means if Mr. Trump also proceeds with his delayed threat to impose 25-per-cent levies on all Canadian goods – and 10 per cent on energy and critical minerals – then the total tariff on steel, for instance, could rise to 50 per cent.

Asked Wednesday about this latest word from the White House, Mr. Trudeau said Canada will retaliate on the United States and the ensuing trade war will cost Americans their jobs.