Trudeau blasts 'dumb' Trump tariffs as world markets slump

'What he wants to see is a total collapse of the Canadian economy because that will make it easier to annex us,' said a visibly angry Justin Trudeau.

'Today the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend,' said Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Picture: Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press via AP

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau called American tariffs “very dumb” and said that US president Donald Trump is appeasing Russia while launching a trade war against Canada.

In a blunt news conference during his final days in office, Mr Trudeau said that Canada would plaster retaliatory tariffs on more than $100bn (€94bn) of American goods in response to Mr Trump’s 25% tariffs.