New York, Mar. 4, (dpa/GNA) – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday accused the United States of launching a trade war by imposing tariffs and vowed further retaliatory measures.

“Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend,” Trudeau said at a press conference.

“Canadians are reasonable and we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight when our country and the well-being of everyone in it is at stake,” he added.

Trudeau addressed Trump directly, saying: “Now it’s not in my habit to agree with the Wall Street Journal, but Donald, they point out that even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do.”

The Canadian prime minister said the US government had decided to make the daily lives of Americans more expensive, pointing to the turbulence on stock markets and inflation, which he said was set to rise dramatically.

Trump implemented 25% tariffs on US imports from Canada, as well as Mexico, from Tuesday, sticking to an earlier promise.

Trudeau announced matching 25% tariffs on up to C$155 billion (US$107 billion) worth of imports from the US and said Canada was willing to take further measures to show Trump “that there are no winners in a trade war.”

He also criticized Trump’s recent diplomatic engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he called “a lying, murderous dictator.”

GNA