Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to “fight fire with fire” and push back against US President-elect Donald Trump’s economic protectionism with policies aimed at attracting investment and raising wages in Canada.
Poilievre told Jas Johal on Vancouver’s CKNW Corus Radio station on Friday that he also supports tighter security on the U.S.-Canada border, but played down concerns that the mass deportations promised by Trump will lead to an influx of migrants seeking to enter Canada.
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Johal asked how Poilievre would plan to deal with Trump if he imposed tariffs on Canada, as he has promised to impose a blanket 10 percent tariff on all foreign imports to the United States.
“First of all, we should be exempt from all these tariffs. I can’t believe that (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau signed a trade deal with Trump that leaves open the possibility of a 10 percent tariff,” Poilievre said. “I would never agree to that.”
He added that he would work to end tariffs on softwood lumber and secure an exemption for “Buy American” policies.
“But more importantly, I will fight fire with fire,” he said, noting that Canada has seen significant levels of investment decline and move to the United States in recent years. “I want our money back.”
The Conservative leader said his long-announced plan to eliminate the consumer carbon price, along with cuts to income tax and taxes on foreign investment, would end the flow of investment and industry from Canada to the United States.
“Trump wants our jobs, and Trudeau wants to help them get them,” he said. “When I become prime minister, this will end.”
Trump also promised to reduce taxes and regulations to drive investment into the United States to confront China, which he said would face 60% tariffs on imported goods.
The Liberal government expressed confidence that the first Trump administration, which saw reciprocal tariffs on steel and aluminum, demonstrated that Canada should be exempt from these tariffs. She also said Canada’s alliance with the United States on tariffs on the Chinese auto industry puts Ottawa on “firm” ground for free trade talks scheduled for 2026.
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But Poilievre said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government should have received relief from US tariffs in the Canada-US-Mexico agreement that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during Trump’s first term – including for softwood.
This year, the Biden administration significantly increased duties on softwood lumber from Canada to 14.54 per cent from 8.05 per cent.
The increase has received backlash from government and industry in British Columbia, where the forestry sector has struggled for years with high export costs.
Poilievre said he would end those duties but did not say how.
“Trump wants what’s best for American workers, and I want what’s best for Canadian workers,” he said.
“We’re not going to be fools anymore…Trump wouldn’t like to do anything more than keep Trudeau in power because he can beat him and he can take his money.”
He added that Trump is likely to benefit from the planned increase in the consumer carbon price next April by attracting more companies and workers to come to the United States.
A few details about border security
The government has come under pressure from opposition and provincial parties over its plan for border security and law enforcement on people looking to enter Canada illegally from the United States amid a Trump-led immigration crackdown, including deportations.
The Liberals say agencies have been preparing for such a scenario for months and that the government stands ready to provide additional resources if necessary.
Poilievre said he wants to see more front-line officers at the Canadian border as well as legislative changes “if necessary to prevent people from abusing our system.”
But he pointed the finger squarely at Trudeau, not Trump, for issues at the border.
“Let’s not get distracted,” Poilievre said. “The problems we have with immigration occurred under Justin Trudeau before this election. “I mean, President Trump hasn’t even taken office yet.”
Trudeau announced last month that Canada would reduce the number of permanent residents accepted annually in an effort to slow population growth and address housing and social services shortages blamed on immigration.
The Customs and Immigration Union told Global News in an emailed statement that staffing shortages at the CBSA have been a “long-standing issue,” and it is estimated that the agency will need between 2,000 and 3,000 additional officers just to meet its current operational needs. .
When Johal pressed him on the need to address the expected surge in migrants fleeing Trump’s deportation plan, Poilievre rejected the idea that that would overwhelm the refugee system.
“It is not possible to be a refugee from the United States,” he said. “We’re vacationing there. It’s not a dictatorship. It’s not a dangerous country you have to flee.”
Tom Homan, Trump’s newly appointed “border czar,” said this week that the Canada-U.S. border represents a “severe national security vulnerability” and pledged to address it when he is in the White House.
Republican Representative Mike Walz, whom Trump chose as National Security Advisor, did so publicly exclaimed on Poilievre To win the next election against Trudeau, which is currently scheduled no later than next October.
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