BREAKING: Canadian premiers demand action from Justin Trudeau after Trump threatens 25% tariffs over illegal immigration, drug smuggling

Canadian premiers are reacting on Monday night to President-elect Donald Trump's announcement that he intends to enact 25 percent tariffs on nations that allow human smuggling and drug trafficking across American borders. Starting in 2022, there has been a 500% increase in that kind of traffic across the US-Canadian border. Late last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto while in Montreal anti-Israel rioters torched vehicles, smashed shop windows, set off smoke bombs and clashed with police.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, a Conservative, said "A 25 per cent tariff would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S. The federal government needs to take the situation at our border seriously. We need a Team Canada approach and response—and we need it now. Prime Minister Trudeau must call an urgent meeting with all premiers."

Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta said "The incoming US @realDonaldTrump
administration has valid concerns related to illegal activities at our shared border. We are calling on the federal government to work with the incoming administration to resolve these issues immediately, thereby avoiding any unnecessary tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S. Fortunately, the vast majority of Alberta’s energy exports to the U.S. are delivered through secure and safe pipelines which do not in any way contribute to these illegal activities at the border. As the largest exporter of oil and gas to the U.S., we look forward to working with the new administration to strengthen energy security for both the U.S. and Canada."

British Columbia Premier David Eby said that "Trump’s tariffs would hurt Canadians and Americans alike. Canadians must stand united. Ottawa must respond with strength. We’ll never stop fighting for British Columbian families."

Quebec's Francois Legault responded saying, per X translation, "This promise by President-elect Donald Trump poses an enormous risk to the Quebec and Canadian economies. We must do everything possible to avoid 25% tariffs on all products exported to the United States. Border integrity must be the federal government's priority. I offer the full cooperation of the Quebec government to Prime Minister Trudeau."

"On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders," Trump said.

"This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!"

Parliament Hill reporter Mackenzie Gray said that the two leaders had spoken on Monday and that during that call they "discussed trade and security at the border, as per a senior Canadian government source.  PMJT also talked with Doug Ford and Francois Legault, about Trump’s threat for a 25% tariff on Canadian goods"

Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc and Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland issued a statement as well. They spoke about the close relationship between the neighboring nations, emphasizing trade and border security and the large influx of Canadian oil into the US. The two also defended Canada against allegations that they were soft on the border and drug smuggling. 

Earlier this month, Trudeau said that any tariffs imposed on Canada would harm American workers. "The interconnectedness between the supply chains in Canada and the United States, the reliableness of Canada as a partner to so many, and so much of the American economy, means that tariffs or a thickening of the border between Canada and the US will inevitably hurt American workers, American jobs as well," he said at a press conference.

Those remarks were made when it was only a 10 percent tariff that Trump said he was intending to levy. "There’s an awful lot Canada and the US are going to be able to do together to successfully compete with the world," Trudeau said at the time.