Governor Responds To Trudeau

President Donald Trump has made it crystal clear: the flood of illegal immigration and deadly fentanyl pouring across the border is a national emergency, and he’s treating it like one. From the moment he took office (again), his administration has taken swift action, securing the Southern border with new policies and cracking down on those who enable this crisis. But Trump isn’t stopping at America’s borders—he’s demanding real cooperation from both Mexico and Canada to end the problem at its source.

To make sure they’re listening, he’s wielding one of the most powerful tools at his disposal: tariffs. Last week, Trump signed executive orders slapping 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, sending a clear message—either fix the border and stop the flow of illegal drugs, or pay the price. The logic is simple: secure the border, enforce the law, and avoid the economic hit.

One would think that the leaders of our neighboring countries would take the hint, especially given how much they rely on trade with the United States. But instead of stepping up and addressing the crisis, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decided to escalate, announcing retaliatory tariffs of 25% on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods.

It’s a bold move—but also a losing one.

Trudeau, ever the political opportunist, is trying to be strategic. Reports indicate that Canadian officials are deliberately targeting goods produced in Republican-leaning or swing states, hoping that economic pressure will push Trump’s allies—governors, members of Congress, and business leaders—to force the president to back off. In other words, they think they can manipulate internal U.S. politics to get their way.

But that strategy is doomed from the start.

First, they vastly underestimate the leverage the United States has. Canada’s entire economy depends on trade with America, and a trade war with the U.S. is one battle they simply cannot win. Trudeau might think he’s playing a clever game, but he’s about to learn that the rules don’t work in his favor.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, Trudeau doesn’t understand Trump, red-state governors, or the political landscape in America. If he thinks conservative leaders are going to turn against Trump over tariffs, he’s badly mistaken. Texas Governor Greg Abbott wasted no time in setting him straight, warning Trudeau, “Careful, Trudeau. The Texas economy is larger than Canada’s. And we’re not afraid to use it.”

That wasn’t just a throwaway comment—it was a direct signal that red states aren’t going to fold, and neither is Trump. If anything, Trudeau’s move has only strengthened America’s resolve.

The reality is this: Trudeau is already a lame duck, having all but resigned due to his disastrous leadership. Yet instead of quietly managing his exit, he’s doubling down, dragging Canada into an unnecessary economic fight it cannot afford. Even he seems to recognize this, reluctantly admitting that he’s open to not going through with his tariffs—though, notably, he hasn’t even spoken to Trump since the inauguration.