Justin Trudeau targets Donald Trump in teary last speech

In a moment that captured the hearts of many, Justin Trudeau got teary-eyed during his final press conference as prime minister, reassuring Canadians that the country is “elbows up” and united against Donald Trump’s threats.

In his final days as prime minister, Justin Trudeau dropped his gloves when it came to President Donald Trump.

In a bold and defiant speech, the 53-year-old made it clear that Canada won’t back down after Trump launched a trade war with its closest ally, threatening to impose a massive 25% tariff on virtually all Canadian goods.

Trudeau – once known as Canada’s “hot prime minister” – accused Trump of trying to trigger “a total collapse of the Canadian economy” because it will “make it easier to annex us,” something the U.S. president has repeatedly said he wants to do.

The PM, however, assured Canadians that the country would fight back with everything it has.

“When it comes to defending our great nation, there is no price we all aren’t willing to pay,” he declared.

Referencing a recent Wall Street Journal editorial that called Trump’s trade action against allies “dumb,” Trudeau said he had a message for the president: “Donald, you are a very smart guy, [but] this is a very dumb thing to do.”

Tariff pause

In early March, for the second time, Trump temporarily paused implementation of 25% tariffs on Canadians exports “compliant” with the terms of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) until April 2.

But Canada responded with a tariff plan of its own, including a 25% surcharge on all U.S.-bound electricity – to about 1.5 million customers – that started on March 10 and will continue until the tariffs are gone.