Canada PM calls Trump’s security reasoning for tariffs ‘laughable’

Last week, the Trump administration unveiled punishing tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from the EU, Canada and Japan, among others.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday called Donald Trump’s national security justification for new metal tariffs on US allies “laughable,” as he and French President Emmanuel Macron formed a united front on trade ahead of the G7 summit.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting in Trudeau's office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (REUTERS)

The leaders, who met in Ottawa before heading to Quebec to join the US president and their other Group of Seven partners for a two-day summit, noted that the tariffs on steel and alumnium imports would also hurt American workers.

“It is laughable to say that Canada, France... can represent a threat to America’s national security, as we are the best allies that the US has had for a long time,” Trudeau told a press conference, with Macron at his side.