As Canada calls US-imposed tariffs a 'dumb move', Newsnight speaks to Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, on day one of a new trade war between the USA and Canada.
#Canada #US #Tariffs #Trump #Trudeau #America #Trade #politcs #politicalnews #latestnews #news #newsnight #victoriaderbyshire #melaniejoly
Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight
X: https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newsnightbbc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newsnightbbc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsnight
#Canada #US #Tariffs #Trump #Trudeau #America #Trade #politcs #politicalnews #latestnews #news #newsnight #victoriaderbyshire #melaniejoly
Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight
X: https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newsnightbbc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newsnightbbc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsnight
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00What Canadians are sending as a message to the Trump administration is that we don't agree, we're insulted, we're mad, we're angry and that's enough.
00:09Let's talk live to Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, you saw her just behind Justin Trudeau there.
00:16I think it's worth saying to viewers here in the UK, how seriously do you take the talk of President Trump speaking of Canada as the 51st state?
00:26Very seriously. This is not a joke anymore. This is not something we laugh at.
00:32This is actually based on the conversations we've had and I've had also with many of the Trump administration officials.
00:39Because when they talk to us, it is not only about our border and the fentanyl issue and the so-called national security crisis at the northern border, which is clearly not the case.
00:50But they've put everything on the table, our military cooperation, security alliances, water, etc.
00:56So they've been threatening us of different things and now we wanted to make sure that the Canadian public and the world was clearly informed of what's going on.
01:09And I must say, Victoria, also, I was in the UK last week and I met with Jonathan Powell of the NSA.
01:14I met with David Lammy, the foreign secretary. I've met also with Morgan McSweeney, the chief of staff of Cure Stormer, before they went to Washington.
01:23And I informed them of what was going on in the relationship between Canada and the US.
01:27OK, well, that is very interesting. I want to talk to you about tariffs, obviously, as Canada's foreign affairs minister.
01:32I don't know if you've heard, but US Commerce Secretary Howard Luttrick has said tonight, President Luttrick, Luttrick, Luttrick, I beg your pardon.
01:41Sorry, I can't read my own writing, said President Trump may actually roll back tariffs on Mexico and Canada as soon as tomorrow.
01:50Have you heard that? What is going on and how is that going to affect trade?
01:55So, first and foremost, we know when it comes to the different secretaries of the Trump administration, they can say many things.
02:03But at the end of the day, the only one that really takes a decision is President Trump.
02:08And so they can be talking to us and having different types of conversations, but even them, they don't really know what the president wants.
02:16What is clear is that none of them contacted us yesterday or today regarding the tariff issue.
02:25And that was not only the case with us, it was actually the case also with Mexico. So they had the same strategy.
02:31Now, the idea of imposing 25 percent tariffs against us is an existential threat.
02:38We are the biggest trading partner of the US. We buy more from the US than UK, France, China and Japan combined.
02:49So there are thousands, millions of jobs in the US that are linked to the relationship we have with the US.
02:57And in response, you have matched with retaliatory 25 percent tariffs on 84 billion pounds worth of American goods.
03:05President Trump posted on Truth Social this.
03:08Please explain to Governor Trudeau of Canada that when he puts on a retaliatory tariff on the US, our reciprocal tariff will immediately increase by a like amount.
03:21Where does it end?
03:23Well, that's it. My job is, as being in charge of the Canadian diplomacy, is to find off ramps.
03:28I'm talking to Secretary of State Rubio tomorrow at noon, Eastern Standard Time.
03:34But at the same time, I must be frank, we cannot let our guard down. We need to make sure that we fight back.
03:44What are you going to say to Marco Rubio tomorrow then?
03:48Well, of course, we need to solve this issue. But meanwhile, that's enough. No more unpredictability.
03:53Because they're trying to put a pause, 30 days, and then they can continue and continue and continue.
03:59And meanwhile, we're always there trying to think what will be next.
04:03And can I ask you how offended you are by President Trump calling Prime Minister Trudeau Governor Trudeau?
04:12Listen, we had enough with this rhetoric. No Canadians now are having fun with this.
04:18And there's a reason why Canadians, when they go at a hockey game, are booing the American national anthem.
04:26It's not against the American people. We're the best friends of the American people.
04:29We have many, many friends and families on the south of the border.
04:32We're the ones that know the American best, because we're in their North American reality every single day.
04:39But what Canadians are sending as a message to the Trump administration is that we don't agree.
04:46We're insulted. We're mad. We're angry. And that's enough.
04:50And so we will retaliate. We'll use our economic strength.
04:53We will be united, because we know when Canadians are united, we win.
04:57And we know what happens in the U.S. right now.
05:00What is happening is that we're seeing that more and more there's a fraction within American society.
05:06And when Americans themselves would understand that our counter-tariffs are having an impact on their loved ones losing their jobs,
05:14or it's costing more at the pump, or costing more at the grocery store, they will say,
05:20President Trump, it's enough. You have to make sure you settle this issue with Canada.
05:25And so we didn't start this trade war. We didn't want this trade war.
05:29We did everything that was required under the executive order to make sure our border was safe and secure.
05:37But at the end of the day, Victoria, let's be frank.
05:40This is a bogus excuse on the part of the Trump administration against us.
05:45The U.S. is a net exporter of illegal drugs to Canada.
05:49It is a net exporter of illegal migrants to Canada.
05:53Canadians know this. They see through what is happening.
05:56And so that's why we're all united and all rallying up around our beautiful flag.
06:02Your prime minister tweeted a photo of his meeting at the weekend, when you were here in the U.K. as well, with King Charles,
06:10who is, of course, Canada's head of state.
06:13And Justin Trudeau tweeted, and our viewers are seeing the tweet now,
06:16we spoke about matters of importance to Canadians, including, above all, Canada's sovereign and independent future.
06:24Those words, of course, will have been chosen with care and will have been put into the public domain
06:29to reflect the views and intent of the prime minister and the sovereign.
06:33Could I ask you, do you welcome this public commitment from King Charles that Canada is not up for grabs?
06:39Absolutely. He's the head of our state, like he is of yours.
06:44And I got many questions regarding the relationship between Canada and the U.K.
06:48And what I've said, times and times again, is that no country on earth will be able to divide Canada and the U.K.
06:55We are bound by our history. We're bound by our friends and families.
07:01Canadians, it is part of our DNA to have a relationship with the U.K.
07:06And, of course, we have the same head of state.
07:09So we will stand strong. We'll work with the U.K., work with our European allies.
07:14But, Victoria, Canadians are going through a tough time right now.
07:18We're strong. We're united.
07:20But let's be frank also, we're the cannery and the coal mine.
07:23Europeans are next. The U.K. is next.
07:26And so we need to work together.
07:28That's also why I went to London, to make sure that if there are tariffs imposed, we should work on counter tariffs as well.
07:35That's why I also went to Paris, to Munich.
07:37Do you want more help from the U.K.?
07:39Sorry to interrupt. Do you want more help from the U.K.?
07:41Do you want them to show more solidarity with you when it comes to these tariffs?
07:45I think that the prime minister was there over the weekend on Ukraine.
07:50We're completely aligned on trade, on Ukraine, on NATO, on everything that is linked to foreign policy right now.
07:57And so we should just reinforce each other.
08:00Because what is going on right now is that there's a lot of unpredictability and chaos coming out of Washington.
08:07And I'm the head of the diplomacy in Canada, Victoria.
08:10I know what I'm saying right now.
08:12I understand the strength of my words right now.
08:15But it is important for people that are watching us to understand what is going on in the U.S.
08:21There is definitely an issue that is happening with the president using his own executive powers
08:29and not necessarily following what is required under their entire constitution.
08:37And that's what he's doing with his own executive order against Canada on the border, on fentanyl,
08:43and at the same time on imposing tariffs.
08:46One more question, if I may. We've taken up much of your time and we're grateful.
08:51Do you think that Donald Trump has shown sufficient respect to King Charles?
08:57If Donald Trump got his way, he would be dislodging the king as Canada's head of state.
09:05Well, I think that I look forward for the king to make sure that he stands in solidarity with Canadians.
09:15And I think he's doing that right now.
09:17I'm happy that Prime Minister Trudeau had the chance to meet with him.
09:21I think also that we will continue to work and reinforce the Starmer government, which is a key ally.
09:27But we need to be united in this.
09:30And this cannot be just one against the other because we think we can have a better relationship with Washington.
09:37No, we need to be united.
09:39And being united, we will be able to bring Washington to a better sound place.
09:46And coming from a Canadian, I think that has a lot of weight.
09:51Okay. Thank you very much for talking to our UK audience tonight.
09:55Thank you very much.