Tariff threats: we need to “talk directly to our allies” in the US, says Poilievre

In his first press conference since the announcement of Justin Trudeau’s resignation, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre unveiled Thursday his plan to deal with Donald Trump’s economic threats, scorching the Liberals in the process.

We must have the strength to speak directly to our allies on the economic front in the United States.declared Mr. Poilievre, in reference to the intention of the American president-elect to impose customs tariffs of 25% on Canadian products.

We need to talk to union leaders and business leaders in the Midwest of the United States who buy our energyhe gave as an example.

As a response – if the new Trump administration moves forward with its threats –, we must identify tariffs that we will impose on strategic sectors of the United States, if necessary, in order to deter an attack on our economyadded the Conservative leader.

Ottawa is also refining its list of American products on which it could impose tariffs if Donald Trump carries out his tariff threat, - learned on Wednesday. These products include steel, plastic and orange juice.

Anti-energy fanatics gave Trump a gift

Asked whether he would use Canadian energy as leverage in negotiations with the United States, for example by threatening to turn off the oil tap, Mr. Poilievre ruled out this possibility.

The energy sector is central to the Canadian economy, he insisted: 100% of our trade surplus with the Americans comes from energy.

In 2023, Canada exported C$166 billion worth of energy products, primarily oil, to the United States. In fact, 81% of Canadian oil production is exported, and 97% is exported to the United States.

Mr. Poilievre took the opportunity to throw an arrow at the president-elect, arguing that imposing tariffs on Canadian energy is not in American interests.

Our American friends benefit from our cheap, reliable energy. The alternative is Iran, Venezuela and other dictatorships. Why not have a North American market that enriches us on both sides of the border?

He also recalled that the United States trade deficit is caused by the import of oil and gas from Canada.

At the same time, he blamed Justin Trudeau’s Liberals for Canada’s dependence on the American market for its energy exports.

Anti-energy fanatics gave Trump a gifthe asserted, targeting in particular the Minister of the Environment, Steven Guilbeault, whom he accuses of having blocked oil pipeline projects.

A Conservative government would expand the export of Canadian oil to Europe to reduce Ottawa’s dependence on the American market, he said.

Praise for Elon Musk

Furthermore, when asked about the support he received from Elon Musk, Mr. Poilievre replied that he would like to speak with the billionaire in order to propose opening Tesla factories in Canada.

How can we attract this investment to Canada? What should we do to bring this production to Canada? […] I am going to cut taxes for businesses […] When I become Prime Minister, we will see a free economyhe assured.

Mr. Poilievre was full of praise for the billionaire and right-hand man of Donald Trump, who recently announced that he would like to see him become Prime Minister of Canada.

My 3 year old son just announced to our family that he wants to visit the planet Mars. So obviously, Mr. Musk, that’s a good contact to have in this case.

In mid-December, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, who was appointed by Donald Trump to head a commission to government efficiencyhad commented with an emoji 100 % under a publication on extremely impressive and that he should be Canada’s next leader.

We must put Canada first

The Conservative leader also again called on Justin Trudeau on Thursday to call an early election. The liberals go first. We must put Canada firstin order to protect the country’s economic interests, he said.

Canadians will not have a real prime minister for months. There is no leader in Canada today who has a strong mandate to negotiate with the Americanshe denounced, saying he was worried about the fact that the rules surrounding the leadership race in PLC are still waiting.

He also took the opportunity to attack potential candidates for leadership, for example damaging the record disastrous of Christy Clark as former Premier of British Columbia.

The carbon tax must remain the issue at the ballot box

Despite Trump’s economic threats, carbon pricing, which he believes weakens the Canadian economy, must remain the issue at the ballot box, the Conservative leader argued.

We would like to have an election based on the carbon tax. [Les conservateurs ont] need a popular mandate to put Canada first and to make our case to the Americans.

Quadrupling the tax on gasoline and diesel will favor Americans, because our businesses, our farmers will not be able to compete with Americans who do not pay a carbon tax. […] Mr. Trump will be on the phone with our businesses to invite them to come to the United States.

With information from The Canadian Press