Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized his Liberal counterpart, Mark Carney, on Thursday for his management of the Canada-U.S. relationship, stating that Carney has not been successful in obtaining any tariff relief for Canada, unlike some other nations. Carney, on the other hand, clarified that the “reciprocal” tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump did not apply to Canada initially. He mentioned plans to engage in negotiations with the U.S. for a new economic and security agreement if he wins the election.
Last week, Trump unveiled significant “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly all countries worldwide, excluding Canada and Mexico. This exemption was viewed as a positive development for Canada. Poilievre highlighted that while other countries received a temporary tariff pause, Canada did not. Trump’s ongoing 10 per cent reciprocal tariff on goods from most countries, excluding Canada and Mexico, and the increased 125 per cent tariff on all Chinese goods were also noted by Poilievre.
Despite securing exemptions under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, Canada still faces U.S. tariffs on various products. Poilievre criticized Carney for not achieving more favorable outcomes from the U.S. administration. Poilievre vowed to eliminate the tariffs on his first day in office if elected, emphasizing the need for a new trade deal with the U.S.
Carney welcomed Trump’s decision to defer some reciprocal tariffs, describing it as a relief for the global economy. He expressed concerns about the impact of the remaining tariffs on Canadian families, workers, and businesses. Carney announced plans to pause his campaign and convene a special meeting of the Canada-U.S. cabinet committee to address the economic challenges.
Carney stressed the significance of the upcoming election and his commitment to representing Canada in negotiations with the U.S. amid uncertainties in the bilateral relationship. He emphasized the need for closer trade relations with reliable allies, following his discussions with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The competition between Poilievre and Carney continues to revolve around their approaches to handling trade relations with the U.S., as both leaders navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape.