Canada's Stance Against Trump's Tariff Threats
OTTAWA — Canada’s Conservative leader used a rally in Ottawa on Saturday to deliver a message to Donald Trump. “Let me be clear: We will never be the 51st state,” said Pierre Poilievre, warning that he is prepared to defend Canadians against the president at all costs.
“We will bear any burden and pay any price to protect the sovereignty and independence of our country,” he said.
Challenges Amid Political Turmoil
The populist leader had been long favored to win Canada’s next federal election, which could come as soon as spring. But the race has been complicated by the arrival of Trump and by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to step down as soon as his Liberal Party chooses a new leader next month.
Repositioning Campaign Strategies
Poilievre, who has appealed to Canadians by tackling complex issues with pithy slogans, used a Flag Day rally to reset his campaign in response to tariff threats that have scrambled the political landscape.
Trump has pledged to slap Canada with 25 percent tariffs in response to a growing list of grievances. It started with complaints about what Canadian leaders say are small amounts of fentanyl and illegal migration entering the U.S. from Canada, but has since expanded to include banking, and the trade deficit.
Defending Canadian Interests
“We are slow to anger and quick to forgive. But never confuse our kindness for weakness,” Poilievre said about Canada. “We are mild-mannered and made of steel.”
Poilievre had focused his “change” campaign on overturning Trudeau’s carbon policy. However since the start of Trump’s trade war a new ballot box question has emerged: Which Canadian leader will best defend their interests against the U.S.?
Canada First Vision
At his “Canada First” rally, Poilievre tackled the question head-on, laying out his vision for the country should he become prime minister, while leaning heavily on Canadian symbols and its history. He promised to “end cancel culture,” restore national monuments and make it a criminal offense to deface them, to expand Canada’s military and to update the citizenship oath with more patriotic language.
“Sometimes it does take a threat to remind us what we have, what we could lose and what we could become,” Poilievre said, pointing to an upsurge in patriotism.
Implications of Trump's Actions
The Conservative leader said Trump has two options: Work with Canada, or lose it as a friend.
As he defined the choices, Poilievre spoke directly to Americans, saying their “energy-hungry future” can not exist without Canada or its oil, gas and critical minerals. He argued that America’s defense is dependent on Canada’s North.
“Carry out the unprovoked attack on our economy and your consumers will pay more and your workers will make less,” Poilievre said. “Gas prices will skyrocket. You will turn a loyal friend into a resentful neighbor, forced to match tariff with tariff and to seek friends elsewhere. Both our economies will weaken, leaving less money for defense and security and our enemies will grow stronger.”
Unity Against Tariffs
Federal and provincial leaders have been back and forth to Washington with the same message — that tariffs on Canadians will hurt Americans. And Trudeau has promised to hit back with counter tariffs on C$155 billion in U.S. goods.
Political Contrasts and Strategies
The rally was an opportunity for Poilievre to distance himself from Trump. In the hours before the event, Trudeau’s Liberal Party released a series of ads attempting to portray Poilievre as an importer of MAGA politics. In one ad, a split-screen features Poilievre and Trump using the same language from “everything is broken” to “fake news” and “the radical left.”
Both leaders favor small government. They support a free market and cutting red tape, slashing environmental regulations, cutting international aid, and supporting more oil and gas production.
Canada's Path to Independence
Poiliere shared a plan to make Canada more independent and less reliant on the U.S. — a strategy that would draw on the abundant availability of energy for economic growth. He promised to spend more on defense, to diversify trade and to build more pipelines.
“The option the Americans will choose is up to them. But let’s be honest, we have to be prepared for the worst,” Poilievre told the crowd at a downtown convention center.
“Simply put, we can no longer depend on the Americans alone for our trade. We can no longer think of them as our backup defense. These threats, my friends, are a wakeup call.”
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