**Trudeau Responds to Trump's Proposed Tariffs on Canada and Mexico**

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has voiced his concerns over President-elect Donald Trump's recent announcement of plans to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. Trudeau, who spoke to reporters in Prince Edward Island, highlighted the potential repercussions of such a move on both Canadian workers and American consumers, the Associated Press reported.

"Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business," Trudeau remarked.

The two leaders have been in communication about this issue, with Trudeau even traveling to West Palm Beach for a meeting with Trump. The tariffs are part of Trump’s strategy to tackle what he identifies as issues related to illegal immigration and drug trafficking from Canada and Mexico.

This isn't the first time tariffs have been a point of contention between the two nations. During Trump's first term, tariffs were a significant tool in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Despite the tensions, Trudeau emphasized that past experiences show that an agreement can be reached. "We can work together as we did previously," he said.

While Canada has not yet implemented retaliatory measures, a senior official mentioned that the government is exploring the possibility of imposing tariffs on selected American products. Trudeau remains hopeful about resolving the issue through "real constructive conversations" with Trump to keep progress moving forward beneficially for Canada.

In contrast, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has confirmed that her country will retaliate with tariffs on the US if Trump proceeds with his plan. She warned that escalating tariffs could jeopardize joint ventures and trade relations between the countries.

The economic relationship between Canada and the US is significant, with Canada being the top export destination for 32 American states in 2016. Furthermore, around 77% of Canadian exports are destined for the US, underscoring the interconnected nature of the two economies.

As tensions rise, the coming negotiations and discussions will be pivotal in determining the economic future of North America.