Trudeau appears on CNN to make the case against taxes to the American audience

For the first time since US president-elect Donald Trump threatened heavy tariffs on Canadian goods, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took his argument against import tariffs directly to the American public.

Trudeau told CNN's Jake Tapper in an interview Thursday afternoon that a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods would hurt both countries.

“We have a lot of resources in Canada – more than our market can support – so we send them to our closest friend that you can rely on. It's a win-win,” he said.

In the first interview Trudeau has given since announcing he would step down as prime minister earlier this week, Tapper asked Trudeau about Trump's recent comments that Canada should become the 51st state.

“That's not going to happen. Canadians are incredibly proud to be Canadian. One of the easiest ways to explain that is, 'No, we're not Americans,'” the prime minister said.

Trudeau said he believes Trump's comments are intended to detract from the expected economic slowdown from the tax if the president-elect makes good on his threat.

“Everything that American consumers buy in Canada is suddenly going to be more expensive and that's what we need to focus on a little bit,” he said.

Ottawa i to curate a list of hundreds of American-made goods – including steel, plastics and orange juice – Canada is considering hitting it with retaliatory tariffs, according to a senior Canadian government source.

Trudeau told Tapper that the government is preparing to push back if Trump follows through on his tax threat, as Canada did during his previous administration.

The prime minister was in Washington on Thursday for the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter. Trump was also there but the two did not speak. Speaking briefly to reporters, Trudeau repeated much of what he said on CNN and did not take questions.

While this is Trudeau's first appearance on US network television since Trump issued the tariff threats, other Canadian prime ministers – notably Doug Ford of Ontario and Danielle Smith of Alberta – have appeared several times in recent weeks to make the case against the tax.

Poilievre outlines his plan to deal with Trump's threats

Moments before Trudeau's interview, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre held a campaign-style press conference where he outlined how he would deal with Trump's threats.

Among the points he listed in his prepared remarks, Poilievre said he would provide more power to advance the American technology industry, lower taxes to encourage investment in Canada and make the economy “independent and less vulnerable to threats from abroad.”

“We will stand up and we will say clearly that Canada is a sovereign and independent country – that we will defend our integrity as a nation with vigor,” he said.

Poilievre also vowed to take the case directly to American labor unions and business leaders.

“We have to go to American workers in the Midwest and their unions and business leaders and say, 'How many jobs are you willing to lose by hitting Canadian power with tariffs?'” he said.

WATCH | Poilievre explains why he thinks the 'Tax Axe' is a ballot box question:

Poilievre explains why he thinks the 'Tax Axe' is a ballot box question

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre says he believes the carbon tax issue is important to Canadian voters because it could lead to Canadian resource companies moving jobs and money south to the US. Canada.

While answering questions from reporters, Poilievre was asked if he has or plans to talk to Americans to make his case against the tax.

“Look, I'm not the prime minister, I respectfully ask Canadians to work for them in that role,” he said in response.

Poilievre – who is leading the Liberals in the polls – has called on Trudeau to call an election immediately.

“I need the authority, the authority to put our country first, to put the blame on the American people,” he said.

Thursday was the first time Poilievre spoke to reporters since Trudeau announced he would step down. The Conservative leader said it doesn't matter who the Liberals choose as their new leader because “he's like Justin.”