Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to display strength during ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. In a letter addressed to Carney and released to the media, Poilievre and Canada-U.S. relations critic Shuvaloy Majumdar expressed concerns that Ottawa has acquiesced to various requests from the U.S. over the past year.
Specifically, the duo pointed out instances where Canada yielded to U.S. demands, such as eliminating the digital service tax, lifting Canada’s counter-tariffs, and involving the United States in an agreement to share net toll revenue from the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.
Poilievre and Majumdar criticized Carney’s stance that no deal is preferable to a bad deal, highlighting job losses in Canadian manufacturing hubs heavily reliant on cross-border supply chains due to perceived concessions made to the U.S.
Poilievre emphasized in the letter to Carney that Canada has continually given ground to American demands without reciprocal benefits, pointing to increased tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber. He insisted that Canadians deserve a fair deal, including the elimination of tariffs on softwood lumber, ending sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum, a tariff-free auto pact, and full exemption from Buy America regulations for infrastructure projects across all government levels.
As a new round of 50% U.S. tariffs on various Canadian goods looms, trade discussions have intensified ahead of the impending deadline. The Conservatives reiterated their call for Canada to fortify its negotiating position by creating a strategic reserve of critical minerals accessible to countries offering tariff-free market access.
Meanwhile, both Canada and Mexico have expressed interest in extending the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) for another 16-year term, but the United States has opted for rolling annual reviews instead.
In a separate development, dairy farmers have urged the Prime Minister not to make concessions that could impact the supply management system protecting Canadian dairy products. Despite pressure, Carney affirmed his government’s commitment to the system, while the Dairy Farmers of Canada cautioned against further concessions in trade discussions.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Canadian government is reportedly considering meeting certain U.S. demands, such as lifting bans on American alcohol sales and potentially altering dairy policies in exchange for tariff relief. Canada is also seeking the removal of the impending 50% tariffs, relief from sectoral tariffs on industries like steel and aluminum, and a joint commitment to resume CUSMA talks in the fall.