Joint Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, and the Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, on potential U.S. tariffs

November 25, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario

Please see below a statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland and the Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc:

“Canada and the United States have one of the strongest and closest relationships–particularly when it comes to trade and border security. Canada places the highest priority on border security and the integrity of our shared border.

“Our relationship today is balanced and mutually beneficial, particularly for American workers. Today, Canada buys more from the United States than China, Japan, France, and the UK combined.

“Canada is essential to US domestic energy supply, and last year 60 percent of US crude oil imports originated in Canada.

“Law enforcement agencies from our respective countries—the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the US Drug Enforcement Administrations, and US Customs and Border Protection—work together every single day to disrupt the scourge of the fentanyl coming from China and other countries. In addition, the CBSA is continuously strengthening its ability to detect opioids through enhanced inspections at ports of entry, detector dogs, and emerging technologies, preventing opioids from entering and leaving Canada. 

“We will of course continue to discuss these issues with the incoming administration.”

Quick Facts:

• Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection had 2,045,838 irregular enforcement encounters outside official ports of entry on the U.S. southern border. In contrast, this number was 10,021 on the Canada-U.S. border.