Concerned about the possibility of tariffs from the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned on Friday, "Canada will have an immediate and extremely strong response," according to CBC News. "We will continue to do that work and do everything necessary to avoid these tariffs coming in, but like I said, if on Tuesday there are unjustified tariffs brought in on Canada, we will have an immediate and extremely strong response, as Canadians expect," Trudeau remarked. 

The statement comes as trade tensions between the two countries continue to rise. US President Donald Trump has often spoken out against the flow of illegal drugs into the US, claiming they come from both Canada and Mexico. Trump has decided to go ahead with imposing tariffs on both countries, starting on March 4. In addition, reciprocal tariffs will remain in place and fully enforced from April 2. In addition, Trudeau stated that, "the first thing on tariffs is to emphasise that our government, and indeed all of Team Canada, premiers, business leaders, community leaders, are focused on one thing, making sure that come Tuesday and for the weeks that follow, there are no tariffs imposed on Canada," according to the CBC. 

"The tariffs that the president speaks of for next week are centered around the fentanyl crisis that they're facing in the United States, but that we are also facing in Canada," he further said. Addressing concerns regarding fentanyl trafficking into the United States, he stated, "And for months now, I've been emphasising that less than one per cent of the fentanyl that arrives in the United States comes from Canada. But we know that even that one per cent, or less than one per cent, should be reduced, which is why we've invested $1.3 billion in strengthening our border capacities with Blackhawk helicopters, with drones, with 10,000 people patrolling our borders and keeping Canadians and Americans safe.” 

"And that Canada is not the source of problems for the United States," he added. On February 4, the US President temporarily suspended tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for 30 days. He stated that this decision came after securing new commitments from both countries to enhance border security. The pause was announced following his discussions with the leaders of Mexico and Canada. "Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels. A large percentage of these Drugs, much of them in the form of Fentanyl, are made in and supplied by China. More than 100,000 people died last year due to the distribution of these dangerous and highly addictive POISONS," Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. 

Trump has pledged to halt or "seriously limit" the shipment of drugs, particularly fentanyl, across the border. "Millions of people have died over the last two decades. The families of the victims are devastated and, in many instances, virtually destroyed. We cannot allow this scourge to continue to harm the USA, and therefore, until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH 4 will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled," read Trump's post. Starting from March 4, China will face an extra 10 percent tariff.