Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre pushed back against President-elect Donald Trump’s intent to impose tariffs on Canada, calling on his country to “stand strong” against the United States.
Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has warned the U.S. that “everything is on the table” regarding Trump’s threat of hitting Canada with a 25% tariff, with the U.S.’s neighboring country planning retaliatory tariffs in response. Additionally, Ottawa is planning to restrict Canadian exports of energy and key materials.
In addressing the scenario, Poilievre, who could potentially succeed Trudeau as prime minister, warned that Canada cannot afford “economically destructive, liberal taxes” within its country, as this would only drive more businesses away from Canada.
“We need to stand strong,” Poilievre said. “My message to President Trump is this: Canada will never be the 51st state. And not only that, the free ride is over. The era of liberal tax increases and anti-development policies that have driven a half-trillion dollars of our money south of the border is over.”
Pierre Poilievre: "My message to President Trump is this: Canada will never be the 51st state." pic.twitter.com/4jqasmbciF
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 16, 2025Poilievre then pitched his vision to cut taxes for Canadians with the intent to “bring home hundreds of billions of dollars” to Canada, as this would allow the nation to maintain “a fierce, free enterprise economy.”
Following Trudeau announcing his resignation, Canadian psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson marked the announcement as “the end of a disaster” and also signaled his support for Poilievre to take Trudeau’s job as prime minister.
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Ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday, the president-elect has met with billionaire and Shark Tank host Kevin O’Leary and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, with Alberta being Canada's “No. 1 trading partner” of the U.S. In meeting with Trump, O’Leary stated that Smith now has what “no other Canadian politician” currently has, which is “a personal relationship” with the new president.
O’Leary also suggested that Trump should “stop talking” to Trudeau, citing how “a red wave” is occurring across Canada in the same vein as what happened in the U.S. during the 2024 election cycle. As such, he encouraged Trump to “hold off” on tariffs against Canada. O’Leary expressed hope that his suggestion “didn’t land on deaf ears.”
