How did Justin Trudeau respond to Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum?

When Donald Trump announced the imposition of import tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly condemned the move, labeling Trump’s national security justification as "insulting and unacceptable."123

During a post-summit news conference at the Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec, Trudeau stated that Canada would reluctantly impose counter-tariffs on the United States if necessary. He famously remarked that while Canadians are "polite" and "reasonable," they "will not be pushed around."123

This stance led to a significant diplomatic escalation. Trump, who took umbrage at these comments, withdrew his support for the G7 communiqué and attacked Trudeau on Twitter, calling him "dishonest & weak." In response to these personal attacks, the Canadian House of Commons unanimously passed a motion condemning the U.S. president's rhetoric. Ultimately, Canada engaged in "tit-for-tat" retaliation by imposing its own tariffs on U.S. goods.124