Hours before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to unveil his “Liberation Day” reciprocal global tariff plan, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre outlined his own strategy to counter Trump’s tariffs, build a less reliant Canadian economy, and end the trade war.
During a speech delivered in Toronto on Wednesday, Poilievre proposed expediting trade negotiations with the U.S. and unilaterally pausing tariffs between each country until a new Canadian-U.S.-Mexico Agreement could be struck.
“We do not know what today’s tariff announcement will bring, how long they will last and what they will do,” Poilievre said. “But whatever President Trump does, these things will remain true: These tariffs are unjustified. They will hurt people and businesses on both sides of the border, and Canada will never be the 51st state.”
Trump’s tariff announcement Wednesday is expected to similarly impose 25 per cent tariffs on multiple countries, including Canada, much like his recent 25 per cent tariff on Canada’s automotive industry.
He laid out his three-part plan of what he would do immediately after winning the election, how he would tackle the dispute afterwards, and his long-term plan to build Canada’s economy so that it would be not reliant on the U.S. going forward.
“On day one as Prime Minister, I will propose to the President to accelerate renegotiations to replace CUSMA, bringing in a new deal on trade and security. CUSMA must be renegotiated next year regardless,” he said. “It is not if but when. So why not get it done fast?”
He said he would set a “firm deadline” to finalize the deal and propose that both countries pause tariffs both ways until such an agreement is met. He also said there would be “red lines” of what his government would not give up during the negotiations.
“I will protect our border, our security, our resources, our farmers, including our supply-managed farmers, our fresh water, and our automotive workers,” Poilievre said. “Also off the table: our sovereignty, our laws, our currency, our land, our water, our skies, our culture, our official languages, our resources, and Indigenous rights will remain in our control for all time.”
Trump has cited Canada’s long-standing dairy supply management system when speaking about Canada “taking advantage” of its relationship with the U.S.
Poilievre vowed that the revenue generated from the expanded U.S.-Canada trade deal would be used to build Canada’s military to meet its NATO commitments and to be a “reliable partner” to Canada’s allies.
“Not because President Trump wants us to, but because it’s the right thing to do, especially in light of American ambivalence about NATO and world peace,” Poilievre added. “Canada will carry its own weight. We will secure the North.”
He said the money would be used to hire more personnel and purchase more planes, submarines and ice-breakers.
“Americans will be able to sleep sound at night knowing that Canada will fully defend our north,” he said. “It will also allow us to do more for NORAD to detect, deter and destroy threats better and faster–to keep both countries safe.”
He also vowed his government would work with Americans to stop illegal immigration and drugs from crossing the border and would “demand” the U.S. do “its part” to prevent illegal guns from crossing into Canada.
During a briefing to the House of Commons, Toronto’s police chief Myron Demkiw reported that approximately 80 per cent of the guns Toronto police seized were smuggled into Canada from the U.S.
He said Canada’s immediate response should involve targeted and reciprocal tariffs to discourage further American economic aggression. He vowed his tariffs should target products Canadians don’t need to import from the U.S. but would hit American exporters hard.
Poilievre vowed to introduce a temporary loan program for businesses directly affected by the tariffs to help them pay their workers throughout the tariff war.
“We must make clear that any commitments we make on defence, border cooperation, and market access can be withdrawn. We will hold up our end of the bargain—only as long as he holds up his,” Poilievre said. “That is how we create the leverage to protect against a president who changes his mind and breaks his word.”
He said Canada will either have to deal with the constant threat of tariffs over its head for the next three and a half years, or it will need to secure a lasting deal with the U.S. to end the uncertainty faced by both countries’ economies.
“A renewed trade deal with the Americans would be ideal, but it can’t be the entire solution to Canada’s economic problems,” he said. “A credible plan to deal with Trump must prepare Canada for growth with or without a secure trade agreement.”
Poilievre proposed unleashing Canada’s economy by building pipelines and trade corridors beyond the U.S., increasing interprovincial trade, and cutting taxes to spur economic growth.