- Title: Canadians in Vancouver sound off on "mind games from Trump" over tariff threats
- Date: 4th February 2025
- Summary: VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (FEBRUARY 4, 2025) (REUTERS) CHRISTINE EARMME LOADING GROCERIES INTO VEHICLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHRISTINE EARMME, 50, OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, SAYING: “Generally, we aren't feeling very good about Trump. We have a great relationship with our neighbors to the south most of the time, and we don't have issues with Americans per se. But we have big issues with the tariffs that Trump is threatening us with. And our feeling is that it's going to come in at some point. Even though we're lucky, and they staved it off last minute, just last night to give us a reprieve for 30 days. We know that it's coming, right? It feels like mind games from Trump.” CHRISTINE EARMME CLOSING REAR OF VEHICLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHRISTINE EARMME, 50, OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEAKING ABOUT PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU, SAYING: “So if anything, I like the firm line that he's been taking that we will retaliate with tariffs if you put tariffs on us. The Canadians do not just want to be passive in this. And I think there's that stereotype from the state that, 'oh, Canadians are so nice, they're so passive, they'll go along with anything.' That is not how we are viewing this situation and I like that attitude.” CHRISTINE EARMME RETURNING SHOPPING CART (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYLVIE EPSTEIN OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, SAYING: “I think that if it goes through, it will be a big mess. For everything, the prices are going to change. What we are used to is going to be different. Groceries are going to be really a mess. I don't think it's a good idea. Maybe I am ignorant, but there might be other ways to rectify some things that are not right, but to just put tariffs makes no sense.” SYLVIE EPSTEIN STANDING WITH HUSBAND MARK EPSTEIN IN PARKING LOT (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK EPSTEIN OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, SAYING: “And I think it's just a tactic by him to try to get Canada to give some concessions that he wants. On the drug problem and also on the, uh, all the problems that he pushes. So, we can't continue with tariffs. Canada has to look for other markets. We cannot continue the way we were in the past, be so dependent on the United States. We have to seek new markets for products.” SYLVIE AND MARK EPSTEIN WALKING INTO SAFEWAY STROE EXTERIOR OF SAFEWAY STORE (SOUNDBITE) (English) RONALDO TUCI , 22, OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, SAYING: “I'm scared it's going to be more expensive in the future. I don't know why, it's be like, it's going to be more expensive because everybody is scared about the prices. The prices are going more higher than before.” SAFEWAY SIGNAGE AND SHOPPING CARTS WITH SNOW ON HANDLES CAREGIVER AND CHILD ENTERING SAFEWAY STORE MAN STANDING WITH DOG IN SAFEWAY PARKING LOT (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHIL SCHWARTZ OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, SAYING: “In a rare moment of clarity, Trudeau showed some backbone. I may not like the guy, but he actually stood up to Trump, which is good. Can't get bullied around by your neighbor.” PHIL SCHWARTZ WALKING AWAY FROM SAFEWAY STORE WITH DOG SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (FEBRUARY 3, 2025) (REUTERS) VEHICLES WAITING IN LINE AT CANADA AND U.S. BORDER CROSSING PEACE ARCH WITH UNITED STATES AND CANADA FLAGS SIGNAGE ON SIDE OF PEACE ARCH VEHICLES WAITING IN LINE AT CANADA AND U.S. BORDER CROSSING
- Embargoed: 18th February 2025 21:03
- Keywords: BRITISH COLUMBIA FOREIGN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TRADE WAR TRUMP TARIFF VANCOUVER
- Location: VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA; SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
- City: VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA; SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
- Country: Canada
- Topics: North America,Government/Politics,International Trade
- Reuters ID: LVA001879104022025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Consumers outside a supermarket in Vancouver, Canada, say they're still bracing for economic pain, despite the postponement of tariffs on Canadian imports threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On a cold morning on Tuesday (February 4) with fresh snow on the ground, trucks from American companies like Frito-Lay continued to deliver products to the Safeway store.
50-year-old Christine Earmme told Reuters, "Even though we're lucky, and they staved it off last minute, just last night to give us a reprieve for 30 days. We know that it's coming, right? It feels like mind games from Trump.”
Phil Schwartz said he supports the approach of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"Trudeau showed some backbone. I may not like the guy, but he actually stood up to Trump, which is good. Can't get bullied around by your neighbor.”
Trump had threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian imports unless Ottawa cracked down on fentanyl smuggling and the flow of illegal migrants across the border.
On Monday (February 3), Trudeau said Canada had committed to creating the post of a special czar to combat the smuggling of fentanyl and would ensure permanent monitoring of the shared border.
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