Where will lost trade with the United States come from?

Ottawa, ON – Stephanie Kusie, Conservative Shadow Minister for International Trade, released the following statement calling on the Liberal government to explain how its trade diversification strategy will protect Canadian workers and businesses after the collapse of Canada-U.S. trade talks.

“Following the collapse of Canada-U.S. trade talks, the Liberal government has yet to explain how its trade diversification strategy will protect Canadian workers, families and businesses. Trade diversification is essential for Canada’s economic security, and Canadians deserve full transparency about the effectiveness of the government’s strategy.

“The Prime Minister has stated that ‘a plan beats no plan.’ Conservatives agree. However, a plan is only as good as its results. So far, Canadians are unsure what the government’s trade diversification strategy has delivered, how this diversification will help shield Canada’s economy from the effects of prolonged U.S. tariffs, and how risks of diversification toward non-market economies will be mitigated. 

“Despite the government’s announcement, 13 free trade negotiations still remain in progress. While the government points to trade agreements and negotiations with countries such as Indonesia, Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates, it has failed to present an honest assessment of what those agreements realistically achieve for Canadians.

“In 2025, Canada’s combined trade with those three countries totalled approximately $12 billion. That represents just over one per cent of Canada’s total trade with the United States during the same period.

“This comes with the enormous challenge of replacing or offsetting lost access to our most important export market. Canadians deserve clear evidence that the government’s trade diversification strategy can protect Canadians and our industries targeted by unfair U.S. tariffs. 

“At a time when Canadian jobs and economic growth are under threat, Conservatives are calling on the government to reconvene Parliament immediately so that elected representatives can scrutinize the government’s trade strategy, hold it accountable for its promises and ensure Canadian workers are not left paying the price of continued trade uncertainty.”