Canadian Leaders React To Trump’s Tariffs

A Canada-First Movement is Afoot

On March 4, President Donald Trump enacted his long-talked-about tariffs on Mexico and Canada. While these tariffs had been spoken of plenty before their enactment, it was still jarring to see them go into effect. This was especially so for many in Canada, particularly those in the government. Canada responded with its own retaliatory tariffs on American goods. 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first leader to make an official response statement to the tariffs. Prime Minister Trudeau is facing his own troubles with his recent resignation from his position after countless calls from within his own government. Trudeau stated that he would stay on as prime minister until a successor could be named, which has yet to be named to the party leadership.

Trudeau also spoke directly to Canadians, saying that the time ahead was going to be difficult but that Canada would weather the storm and that the government, no matter what happens, would always be there for all Canadians. 

This speech comes at a time when Canada is unified against the acts of President Trump. However, it also falls at a time in which Trudeau’s party, the Liberal Party, is struggling to stay afloat as it approaches a federal election. 

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party and His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, also responded to President Trump’s tariff enactment. For some background, the Conservative Party has been consistently polling better in Canada than the Liberal Party, albeit with a slightly lesser margin in recent weeks, with the Liberal Party coalescing in a unified response against President Trump. That said, Poilievre has still been able to use his response for benefit. His response took a much more nationalistic attitude, following along with his recent slogan of “Canada First.” 

Poilievre, like Trudeau, noted many reasons as to why the tariffs would be bad for both Canada and the United States. He also, like Trudeau, utilized this speech to attack the opposite party, particularly noting the Canadian government being prorogued, “Look behind me. Parliament has been closed. Liberals shut it down to focus on their political battles,” he said. He also noted the need to increase the capability of Canada’s military. 

His “Canada First” mentality was evident in his closing statements, “To preserve that flag and its promise, we must work together, fight together and win together.” Poilievre also noted, “That is what it means to put Canada first. Because Canada is worth fighting for, for our people, for our land, for our home, for our country. Let’s bring it home.” 

While Canada may be divided on Liberal and Conservative party lines, and even with each side subtly going after the other, one thing is certain. Canada has established a united message against President Trump’s tariffs.