Ottawa, ON – Today, The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada, responded to the pause of the latest unjustified tariffs by President Trump and laid out the Conservative plan to make Canada stronger at home for unbreakable leverage abroad.
“Conservatives were relieved that there is now a three-day delay on new US tariffs, and we’re looking forward to seeing the new and excellent deal that is being finalized – one we expect, and we believe, should include an end to tariffs on Canadians,” said Poilievre.
“While we disagree with the Prime Minister making so many concessions – with his giving the Americans 50 per cent of the tolls on a bridge Canadian taxpayers paid 100 per cent of the cost to build – we still stand by, ready to help,” Poilievre continued. “We renew the offer we’ve been making for over a year that we are here to work with all parties, including the government, to fight for a win for Canada.”
“We hope that over the next couple of days we’ll hear the good news that Mr. Carney will have kept his promise and that Canadians will get an even better deal than we had before,” added Poilievre. “That’s what he promised, and that should mean no tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, lumber and an exemption to buy America.”
Conservatives laid out a clear plan on how to achieve that deal by unblocking Canadian resources and unleashing the economy to become affordable and autonomous, and build the leverage to get a deal with the United States. That includes:
- Creating a Strategic Energy and Mineral Reserve for tariff-free allies;
- Securing a tariff-free auto pact that boosts Canadian production;
- Protecting Canadian technologies and IP from being offshored; and
- Unlocking the production of Canadian resources by repealing anti-development laws C-69 and C-48.
“We have 10 of the 12 NATO-defined strategic minerals needed to fight a war, we have the fourth biggest supply of oil – the Americans need all of these things,” Poilievre said. “Our message should be that we will tailor-make a reserve of all of these resources and we will make it especially available to countries that give us tariff-free trade.”
“We should use the aforementioned leverage to get the deal that we want; we always have to put our country first, and Conservatives are fighting for Canada,” concluded Poilievre. “We are here for Canada, and we want our country to be affordable at home, safe at home and strong at home. A nation that is self-reliant, sovereign and stands on its own feet.”