Tomorrow, February 1, 2025, may prove to be one of the darkest days in the Canada-U.S. relationship in modern memory. If the Trump Administration keeps its word and implements 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, the United States should prepare for one of the biggest trade blows it has ever endured.

 

Canadians did not ask for this fight. Canadians do not want this fight. But if the fight comes to our door, our counterpunch must be dollar-for-dollar retaliation.

 

By immediately releasing a targeted list of potential retaliatory tariffs for a seven day consultation on $200 billion worth of American imports, we can hit Trump where it hurts. By targeting products from Republican states that voted for Trump and products made by his billionaire buddies, Canada can exert unavoidable political pressure on the White House. Canada’s dollar-for-dollar retaliation must be drawn from this list.

 

Canada must threaten to impose a 100 per cent tariff on all Tesla vehicles and a 100 per cent tariff on U.S. wine, beer, and spirits if unfair tariffs are imposed on Canadians tomorrow.

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And, as I have said previously, on the first day tariffs are imposed on Canada, we must:

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• Immediately convene an international summit and form an international coalition to coordinate a joint response to challenges to our sovereignty and our economies. We will start with a summit, to be held as soon as I am sworn in as Prime Minister, with the leaders of Mexico, Denmark, Panama, and the President of the European Union, and NATO’s Secretary General.

   

• Direct all federal government agencies to stop the purchasing of any goods from any U.S. companies (with exceptions only where national security is concerned). And we must work with Canadian provinces and cities to encourage them to take a similar approach.

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Our message is clear: tariffs will hurt Americans and Canadians alike. There will be no winners in a Trump tariff war.

 

I will continue to share more details of my plan to respond to Trump’s tariffs, support Canadian workers and businesses, and attract investment to our country in the days and weeks to come.