The new federal Minister of Finance, Dominic LeBlanc, described himself as “confident” in the Canadian response on the eve of the inauguration of Donald Trump, who threatens to decree customs tariffs of 25% on Canadian products upon his accession in the Oval Office.
I am completely confident that there will be an answer [canadienne] robust, a serious response, which will make the Americans very quickly understand that it is not in their economic interest to follow this path
said Mr. LeBlanc in an interview on the show Everyone is talking about it broadcast Sunday evening.
Any response from Canada will hurt Americans less than the idea of imposing 25% tariffs.
he added, referring to the potential impacts of these tariffs on the closely linked economies of the two countries.
Dominic LeBlanc, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly met last week with the premiers of the provinces and territories to coordinate the Canadian strategy of responding in stages against possible American tariffs.
Only the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, did not sign the joint declaration of this exercise which was also intended to be an expression of Canadian unity in the face of American threats of tariffs.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a first ministers’ meeting in Ottawa, Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Justin Tang
Ms. Smith had written on X that the federal government was floating the idea of cut off energy supplies to the United States and impose tariffs on Alberta energy and other products
an unacceptable measure for the Prime Minister of the largest oil producer and exporter in the country.
A consensus is not necessarily unanimity
commented Mr. LeBlanc, when asked about this Alberta dissidence.
In Canada’s response, it is clear that nothing should be taken off the table, including energy exports.
he maintained, welcoming the contribution of Quebec Prime Minister François Legault in this regard.
Ms. Smith planned to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on January 20, but will ultimately not be able to be part of it since she was moved inside the Capitol Rotunda due to the temperature.
Border security at the heart of trade
At the end of November, Minister Leblanc accompanied Justin Trudeau to a dinner with American President-elect Donald Trump at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. On his return, he described the visit as positive et productive
and had mentioned discussions on the security of the Canadian-American border.
The fight against trafficking in fentanyl, a drug that is wreaking havoc in the United States, and illegal immigration
were figureheads of American demands.
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-Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump notably took advantage of this dinner to talk about border and economic issues. (Archive photo)
Photo : Dave McCormick
We said that we had the same interest in securing the border as the American government.
said Mr. LeBlanc. Some months in Canada there are more, per capitamore Canadians die from fentanyl than in the United States, so the idea that we are not interested in securing the border is not true
he put forward.
In mid-December, Ottawa put its hand in the checkbook to spread an additional $1.3 billion over six years with the aim of strengthening the security of its borders and better equipping security agents. GRC who monitor it.
However, will these announcements satisfy the next American president? If Mr. Trump wants us to do more [enrayer] drug trafficking and organized crime, we are obviously ready to do it. The concern is shared and if it is [sur cet aspect que repose] the threat of customs tariffs, I think we have answered the call
judges Minister LeBlanc.
But I have the impression, with [Donald Trump]that this is not his last word
he admits, despite everything.
LeBlanc will choose between Carney, Freeland and Gould
Dominic LeBlanc was among the candidates expected in the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada (PLC).
However, he quickly closed the door to this possibility at the beginning of the month, citing the need to pay full attention to the threats of customs tariffs made by Donald Trump; A crucial turning point
for the relationship between the two countries, he then wrote on X.
A long-time friend of Justin Trudeau, Mr. LeBlanc said he hasn’t decided yet
which candidate he would support. A leadership race is a competition between friends. It’s a difficult time for a political party
he indicated.
I will choose between these three people: [Mark] Carney, [Chrystia] Freeland ou Karina Gould
nevertheless allowed the new Minister of Finance, who inherited the position of Chrystia Freeland when she abruptly slammed the door of the Liberal caucus, thereby causing a major crisis within the party culminating in the resignation of Justin Trudeau .
Mr. LeBlanc thus draws a line under any possible support for the candidacies of former MP and businessman Frank Baylis and MP Chandra Arya.
While Chrystia Freeland launched her campaign, Mélanie Joly announced on Sunday that she would support the candidacy of the former governor of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney.
Karina Gould, the MP from Burlington, Ont., also jumped into the fray Sunday with the intention of wooing younger Liberal voters and revitalizing the party.
After 25 years of working in the municipalities, Dominic LeBlanc still intends to run in his riding of Beauséjour, New Brunswick, in the next federal election in 2025.