Poilievre targets Trump, urges Canada to focus on what it can control in major speech
Conservative leader warns 'China is not a substitute for the United States'
A call for Canada to diversify its trade relationships, particularly with China and India, while maintaining strong ties with the U.S.
Proposals for a new Canadian Strategic Energy and Mineral Reserve, a tariff-free Auto Pact with the U.S., and rules requiring companies that move Canadian intellectual property offshore to repay taxpayer support.
The creation of an all-party parliamentary working group to prepare for the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
A focus on national unity and building leverage at home to strengthen Canada’s position abroad
Poilievre took unusually direct aim at Trump on several fronts:
- Trade surplus claims — He said Trump is wrong to claim Canada exploits the U.S., arguing the surplus exists because Canada sells raw materials cheaply, which the U.S. turns into high‑value goods.
- Ignoring Canada’s sacrifices — He said Trump downplays Canada’s military support, especially in Afghanistan.
- Annexation jokes — He called Trump’s “51st state” comments unacceptable and said there is “zero chance” Canada would ever be part of the U.S.
- Tariffs and targeting allies — He said Trump was right to try to rebuild U.S. manufacturing but “missed the target” by attacking allies like Canada.
He proposed measures to keep Canadian intellectual property in Canada:
- Companies moving IP abroad would have to repay taxpayer subsidies.
- Canadians investing domestically would receive tax breaks.
- Foreign takeovers of sensitive defence‑ or information‑related industries would be banned.
He reaffirmed support for a free‑trade deal with India and deeper ties with other middle‑power countries.
Poilievre outlined a multi‑pronged approach to the upcoming CUSMA review and Canada’s global trade posture:
- Use leverage — Canada is the U.S.’s second‑largest customer and controls the northern approaches; he says this gives Canada bargaining power.
- Critical minerals reserve — He supports a strategic stockpile that Canada could share with allies only if they honour tariff‑free trade.
- Tariff demands — He would seek an end to U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, and softwood lumber.
- Auto pact — He wants a new tariff‑free North American auto agreement to shield the sector from China.
- Buy American exemptions — He would push for full exemption from Trump’s Buy American rules.
- Keystone XL — He wants to relaunch talks on the pipeline.
- Defence procurement — He says Canada should buy U.S. defence goods only in proportion to how fairly the U.S. treats Canada on trade.