• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserts "nothing is off the table" in response to Trump’s threatened tariffs.
• Provincial leaders emphasize a unified and equitable response across regions to avoid disproportionate burden.
• Potential countermeasures include retaliatory tariffs and restricting energy exports to the U.S.
• Meeting with provincial leaders signals Canada’s commitment to defend its trade interests against U.S. threats.

In light of escalating tensions between Canada and the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with provincial and territorial leaders in Ottawa to discuss a coordinated response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. Trudeau stated, "We have to respond to the challenge we’re facing," highlighting the critical nature of the discussions surrounding the potential economic fallout as Trump's inauguration approaches.

In a press conference following a five-hour meeting, Trudeau declared that any retaliatory action must ensure that "the burden is shared across the country." Various provincial leaders echoed this sentiment, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressing the need for a robust and united stance against the tariffs, stating that "retaliatory tariffs need to be hard." He notably wore a hat emblazoned with the phrase "Canada is not for sale," reinforcing the message of resilience.

Moreover, sources report that Canada is preparing to impose tariffs on U.S. imports worth C$150 billion ($105 billion) as a countermeasure should Trump move forward with his threats ([Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/canada-tariffs-donald-trump-energy-supply-trudeau-2015859)). Canada's energy sector is also highlighted as a potential tool in this negotiation, with discussions around cutting off energy supplies or imposing tariffs on energy exports to the U.S. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith opposed this notion, emphasizing the need to protect her province's economy.

During the meeting, Trudeau reassured that **"everything is on the table"** regarding potential responses to the tariffs, while explicitly providing that Canada's response would not disproportionately affect any single region. Trudeau has also faced internal pressures, as some provincial leaders have diverged in their strategies. Notably, Trudeau’s efforts stem from concerns that tariffs could devastate the Canadian economy, which relies heavily on the U.S. market for trade, with nearly 75% of its exports heading south. Ontario's industries could see substantial job losses under the proposed tariffs, highlighting the urgency of a collaborative approach to this impending economic challenge ([BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy7xe32n50o)).

The incoming U.S. administration has leveraged trade tariffs as a negotiation tactic, advocating that Canada must take steps to address issues like illegal immigration at the northern border. Trudeau and his team have engaged in a flurry of diplomacy, appealing to U.S. lawmakers directly to avert the imposition of these tariffs. The stakes are high as both nations strive to maintain their interconnected trade relationship, which is critical given that Canada was the top supplier of foreign energy to the U.S. in 2020 ([AP News](https://apnews.com/article/trudeau-us-trump-tariffs-ec4f0d1fe9bbb41c575322ca73c282d2)).

The situation remains fluid, with mounting pressures from Trump's administration creating uncertainty in Canada’s political landscape. As Trudeau prepares to leave office and a new election approaches, the challenge facing the grow increasingly complex, testing the limits of historic alliances while paving the way for potential retaliatory strategies to safeguard Canada's economic interests ([Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/canada-tariffs-donald-trump-energy-supply-trudeau-2015859)).