Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to display courage during the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. In a letter addressed to Carney, shared with the media, Poilievre and his Canada-U.S. relations critic, Shuvaloy Majumdar, highlighted instances where Ottawa had acquiesced to various demands from the U.S. over the past year.
The duo pointed out actions such as revoking the digital service tax, eliminating Canada’s counter-tariffs, and involving the United States in an agreement to share net toll revenue from the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich. Poilievre and Majumdar countered Carney’s stance that no deal is preferable to a bad deal by emphasizing the detrimental impacts on Canadian manufacturing jobs reliant on cross-border supply chains.
Poilievre criticized Carney for continuously yielding to American demands without gaining any reciprocal benefits, leading to increased tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber. Poilievre emphasized the necessity for a fair deal for Canadians, advocating for measures like zero tariffs on softwood lumber, an end to sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum, a tariff-free auto pact, and exemption from Buy America rules on infrastructure projects at all government levels.
As the deadline for new 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods approaches, trade discussions between the two nations have intensified. The Conservatives reiterated their call to fortify Canada’s negotiating position by establishing a strategic reserve of critical minerals, accessible to countries offering tariff-free market access.
While Canada and Mexico expressed interest in extending the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) for another 16 years, the U.S. opted for rolling annual reviews instead. Dairy Farmers of Canada urged the Canadian government not to compromise on the supply management system protecting Canadian dairy, as the U.S. has critiqued it as a major trade obstacle.
Industry sources disclosed plans by the Canadian government to address some U.S. demands, including lifting bans on American alcohol sales, in return for tariff relief. Additionally, discussions involve potential changes in the dairy sector. Canada aims for the U.S. to retract the impending 50% tariffs and provide relief from sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum, with a commitment to resume CUSMA talks in the fall.