Canada’s Foreign Minister, Mélanie Joly, expressed her belief in a successful resolution to the ongoing trade conflict with the United States, which was ignited by a series of tariffs instituted by former President Donald Trump. In an interview with the BBC’s World Service Weekend programme, Joly emphasized Canada’s significant trading relationship with the US, stating, “We are the biggest customer of the US. We buy more from the Americans than China, Japan, the UK and France combined.”
Impact of tariffs on Canadian voters
As the Canadian electorate prepares for a federal election later this year, Joly highlighted the importance of tariffs and rising prices as pivotal issues on voters’ minds. The US has imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, with Trump threatening additional “reciprocal” tariffs set to take effect on April 2.
Joly noted the intricate interdependence of the US and Canadian economies, arguing that this gives Canada substantial leverage. “We have the most leverage in the world when it comes to the US,” she declared. Furthermore, she pointed out that the adverse effects of these tariffs are not confined to Canadians, but also affect “hardworking Americans.”
Calls for American involvement
According to Joly, it may ultimately be American citizens who play a critical role in resolving the trade war. “We think that ultimately the only ones that will be able to help us win this war… are the Americans themselves because they’re the ones that can send a message to their lawmakers,” she remarked. She further emphasized that both American and Canadian jobs are jeopardized by these tariffs, stating, “We can win the hearts and minds of Americans, because ultimately they’re the ones paying for this.”
The impending trade war is expected to heavily influence Canadians as they cast their votes in what will be their first federal election in nearly ten years. It has been reported that Prime Minister Mark Carney may call for a snap election on Sunday, with the vote anticipated to take place on April 28.
Notably, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has joined the discourse against US tariffs, advocating that he is uniquely qualified to confront Trump. He remarked, “There is no good reason to do this to these good people. Stop the tariffs, stop the chaos.” As tensions mount, Trump has reiterated his plans to implement additional tariffs on Canada and other nations, branding them as “the big one,” while Prime Minister Carney has vowed to impose reciprocal tariffs should Trump follow through.
The escalation of trade tensions has prompted some Canadians to take to the streets in protest. On Saturday, demonstrators in Toronto staged an “elbows up” protest, a term borrowed from hockey, aimed at countering Trump’s assertion that Canada should become the 51st state of the US.
In her interview, Joly reiterated the Liberal party’s eagerness to secure a clear mandate from Canadians, enabling them to effectively engage with Trump and address the looming threat of tariffs. She conveyed that Canadians are “preoccupied” with developments from the White House and seek a prime minister who embodies “strong values.” The political landscape is poised for a pivotal showdown between Carney and Poilievre.
“Tariffs are a central part of Trump’s overall economic vision,” Joly stated, indicating the broader implications of the trade conflict.
Trump’s tariff strategy aims to bolster US manufacturing, safeguard jobs, and elevate tax revenue, while also striving to rectify America’s trade balance with its international partners. Despite these goals, he has not dismissed the potential for a recession stemming from his trade policies, which have already caused significant fluctuations in US stock markets. Initially, Trump’s tariffs targeted goods from China, Mexico, and Canada, which accounted for over 40% of US imports in 2024. However, these countries have vehemently denied Trump’s accusations of failing to address the flow of migrants and illegal substances into the US.