Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, has made it clear that if he’s elected Prime Minister, he won’t hesitate to retaliate against President Trump’s impending tariffs on Canadian goods, and he’s ready to hit back hard.
In a recent interview, Poilievre warned that both the U.S. and Canada would suffer in the event of a trade war, but he emphasized that Canada would take strategic steps to minimize its own damage while maximizing the impact on American interests. He explained that Canada could find alternative markets for its goods, effectively countering the potential economic blow from Trump’s looming 25% tariffs.
Poilievre’s comments come at a time when Trump’s trade policies are set to create significant disruption. With the tariffs scheduled to kick in as early as February 1, Poilievre’s approach signals a tough stance on trade. When asked if he would retaliate dollar-for-dollar, Poilievre didn’t hold back, saying, “It has to hit hard. We have to be very pinpoint and surgical.”
Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. is vital, with $3.6 billion worth of goods crossing the border daily. Furthermore, over 2 million Canadian jobs depend on exports to the U.S. But Poilievre, drawing on comparisons to Trump, argues that Canada can no longer rely solely on the U.S. as a trade partner. If America continues to act unpredictably, Poilievre believes Canada must diversify its trade relationships with other nations and strengthen its internal market.
Since taking the helm of the Conservative Party in 2022, Poilievre has gained considerable popularity, partly due to his outspoken opposition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s policies. He has promised a crackdown on crime, a reversal of Canada’s immigration policies, and stronger fiscal discipline to combat inflation and deficits.
With Trudeau stepping down after nearly a decade in office, Poilievre’s firm stance on trade, crime, and immigration is shaping up to be a defining part of his campaign as he seeks to lead Canada into a new era of conservative governance.