Donald Trump Issues High Import Tariffs from Key Partners
- (Foto AP/Morry Gash, Pool)
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, an industry trade group, warned in a statement on Saturday that a higher cost to import crude oil from Canada and Mexico — as well as other Canadian energy products — could mean that American consumers will end up paying more for energy.
"We are hopeful a resolution can be quickly reached with our North American neighbors so that crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals are removed from the tariff schedule before consumers feel the impact," AFPM president and CEO Chet Thompson said.
China, Canada and Mexico respond
On Sunday, in coordinated statements from China's foreign ministry and commerce ministry, Beijing denounced the tariffs and said China would take unspecified "corresponding countermeasures." The commerce ministry said the tariffs were a serious violation of World Trade Organization rules, and said it would launch a legal challenge at the WTO.
The foreign ministry said China has taken steps to help the U.S. deal with fentanyl, which it said was ultimately a U.S. problem, and said the imposition of tariffs "will inevitably affect and undermine future cooperation between the two sides on anti-drug issues."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a public appearance on Saturday, lamented the impending U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and warned American consumers that they would see prices rise.
"This is a choice that, yes, will harm Canadians, but beyond that it will have real consequences for you, the American people," Trudeau said.
"If President Trump wants to usher in a new golden age for the United States, the better path is to partner with Canada — not to punish us," he added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the media in Washington on Jan 9.
Canada's government announced that it would impose 25% retaliatory tariffs on a variety of U.S. products, starting with appliances, clothing, wine and spirits, orange juice, peanut butter and motorcycles.
