Canadian Premier: Trump A 'short-sighted Man'

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston called President Trump a “short-sighted man” and announced a series of reciprocal steps his province will take to respond to the president’s 25-percent tariffs on Canadian goods.

“Donald Trump is a short-sighted man who wields his power just for the sake of it, not having any consideration for the destructive impact of his decisions on both Canadians and Americans,” Houston said in a post on the social platform X on Tuesday, when the tariffs took effect.

“It is impossible to properly describe the uncertainty and chaos that President Trump’s threat of tariffs and now actually imposing tariffs has caused for Canadians,” he continued.

On Tuesday, Trump’s 25-percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico and his 10-percent tariffs on China took effect, sending the market tumbling amid concerns about the economic consequences of the new tax on goods.

Canada in retaliation hit the U.S. with 25 percent tariffs on $30 billion in goods, and Mexico is expected to announce its own tariffs.

“And now, as President Trump proceeds with his illegal 25 per cent tariffs, Nova Scotia will respond,” Houston added.

Houston said Nova Scotia would block American companies from bidding on future contracts with the provincial government and said, “We are also actively seeking options to cancel existing contracts and reject outright bids until President Trump removes his unlawful tariffs.”

The province will also double the tolls for commercial vehicles from the U.S. at the Cobequid Pass section of the highway, and the provincial government will direct the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation to remove U.S. alcohol from their shelves.

The province took a similar step when Trump initially announced the 25-percent tariffs — before Trump agreed to a 30-day delay.

“We know this was an effective response the first time and hurt American producers who rely on Canadian markets,” he said.

Houston said the province is also taking steps to increase global trade, as well as trade with other Canadian provinces.

“I can tell you that we worked hard to avoid a repeat of Trump’s tax. We know tariffs are bad for people and businesses on both sides of the border. Unfortunately, some people need to touch the hot stove to learn, and while we cannot control or predict their behaviour, we can control how we respond,” he said.