As U.S. President Donald Trump toys with imposing massive tariffs on Canadian goods next week, the front-runners to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have all vowed to respond with dollar-for-dollar retaliation.
Former central bank governor Mark Carney, who officially joined the Liberal Party leadership race last week, said in a statement after President Trump took office that if the president complies, “it will require the most serious trade response in our nation’s history.” Ta.
“Canada’s retaliatory dollar-for-dollar tariffs should be warranted and should be directed to areas where the impact on the United States will be felt the most,” the former Bank of Canada governor said in a statement Monday night. .
“Every dollar raised through Canadian tariffs should be used to support Canadian workers through this fight.”
As his first day in office drew to a close on Monday, President Trump suggested he was “considering” implementing the massive tariffs he has threatened against Canada and Mexico.
Carney, who has pitched himself to Liberal voters as someone who can help them navigate economic troubles, said the U.S.’s proposed actions speak to the urgency of rebuilding Canada’s economy.
Mr Carney, who is also governor of the Bank of England, said: “This will require a dramatic change in economic policy, and that is what I am proposing.”
“In the medium term, if we can no longer rely on our neighbor the United States, we will diversify our trade relationships and build on our vast resources, talented people, innovation and industry to create new sources of jobs and growth,” he said. We have to build it.”
Prime Minister Trudeau says he supports the ‘principle’ of matching
Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Carney’s top candidate, has also promised punitive action.
Mr. Freeland launched his campaign on Sunday, promising to “lead a truly Canadian response to the threats we face today,” including dollar-for-dollar retaliation.
“If you hit us, we hit you back,” she said. “If you force our hand, we will inflict the biggest trade blow the United States has ever taken.”
Mr. Freeland helped lead Canada’s negotiating team during President Trump’s first term, when the North American Free Trade Agreement was in jeopardy, and brings his skills as an experienced leader heading into his second administration. is promoting.
After she resigned from the Cabinet in December, President Trump called Freeland “toxic” on social media and said she “will not be missed.”
Freeland argued that it’s a good thing Trump doesn’t like her.
“He likes to be pushed around,” she told reporters on Sunday. “You want the kind of leader of the Liberal Party that Donald Trump fears to be your prime minister.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that Canada will strike back against the United States if President Trump imposes tariffs on February 1.
“Everything is on the table and I support the principle of matching dollar-for-dollar tariffs,” Trudeau said. “If they move forward, we’ll definitely consider it. We’re ready for every possible scenario.”
Officials have already laid out plans to impose immediate tariffs on $37 billion worth of U.S. goods if Trump turns against Canada, which would rise to $110 billion if the president doesn’t back down.
Freeland targets Prime Minister Trudeau
Freeland is trying to distance herself from her former boss as he campaigns for his position. She was widely seen as a key ally of Trudeau until her surprise resignation in December.
He said he had now had disagreements with the prime minister “for some time” over the government’s response to the economy, and said the situation worsened after Trump’s re-election in November.
Her resignation as finance minister came after Prime Minister Trudeau told her he planned to replace Mr Carney after she delivered his fall economic statement in the House of Commons.
Asked in an interview with CP24 on Monday whether he would have acted differently as prime minister, Freeland said he would have handled the situation differently.
“You wouldn’t say to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the day after the Autumn Economic Statement that you were going to make people redundant. You probably wouldn’t say that three days before the Chancellor was due to make an announcement,” she said. . “Step 1, right?”
Leader candidate gathers support
The leadership race is moving forward under tight deadlines. Candidates must register as new members within one week. Registered Liberal members will vote on March 9 in 343 elections, with each election weighted by 100 points.
Dozens of Liberal MPs, including cabinet ministers, have solidified their support for Freeland and Carney.
On Tuesday, Carney received support from Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Nova Scotia MP Sean Fraser and former cabinet minister David Lametti.
Ontario Liberal MP and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he is “very proud to endorse” Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney. Anandasangaree said Carney’s “rich experience” will be helpful at this “pivotal time for Canada.” Mr. Carney previously served as governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.
Mr. Carney announced a major Quebec endorsement over the weekend when Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly pledged her support hours before Mr. Freeland took to the stage to announce his candidacy.
Ms. Freeland has cabinet members listed to support her.
Justice Minister Arif Virani and Health Minister Mark Holland stood behind her at the official campaign launch on Sunday, while Canadian Citizen Services Minister Terry Beech also pledged support.
Burlington, Ont., MP Karina Gould received support from MPs Lisa Hepfner and Pam Damoff.
