Off The Record

Donald Trump Gives A Harsh Eight-Word Answer, Saying America Will Feel “Some Pain” From The Growing Trade War

Published on February 3, 2025

Donald Trump isn’t attempting to curry favor with the nations that border the United States.

The Trump administration imposed 10 percent import levies on Chinese goods and 25 percent import taxes on Canada and Mexico on February 1.

Energy imports from Canada will also be subject to a 10% tax.

For Mexico specifically, the increased tariffs have been described as “catastrophic.”

According to Trump, the unpopular reform was implemented in an effort to make America “very rich again.”

People in the US should anticipate higher grocery and gas prices as a result of the move.

The price of avocados, berries, cooking oil, beef, meat products, beer, and tequila will all be impacted, according to Phil Lempert, editor of The Supermarket Guru.

Trump himself admitted the policies could make life more difficult for Americans, writing on Truth Social: “WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!). BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”

Both Canada and Mexico have responded to the increased tariffs by stating that they would be prepared to impose similar measures on imported US goods.

The government is “ready with a response, a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau threatened.

Elsewhere, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said: “We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, depending on what the government of the United States decides.

“It is very important for the people of Mexico to know that we will always defend the dignity of our people, that we will always defend respect for our sovereignty, and engage in dialogue as equals, as we have always stated, without subordination.”

Trump has now retaliated.

The 47th president of the United States responded to Trudeau’s actions with ruthlessness.

He said, as reported by Sky News: “I love the people of Canada. I disagree with the leadership of Canada. And something’s gonna happen there.”

“If they want to play the game, I don’t mind. We can play the game all they want.”

However, Canada might avoid the sharply higher tariffs in a (very harsh) method.

The 78-year-old stated that Trump suggested making the neighboring nation the 51st state in the union as a possible remedy.

Yesterday, February 2, Trump wrote on TruthSocial: “We don’t need anything [Canada has].”

“We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true!”

“Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!”

Trump has made this suggestion before, and Trudeau has consistently maintained that it is “not going to happen.”