Greens Call for Bold Action to Defend Canada from Trump’s Tariff Threats
OTTAWA – Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican products is not just an economic attack—it is an assault on Canadian sovereignty, values, and our ability to chart our own future. The Green Party of Canada is calling for an urgent, unified response to protect workers, small businesses, and vulnerable communities, while reducing Canada’s dependence on an increasingly unstable U.S. trade relationship.
“This is not just about trade—this is about Canada’s independence,” said Elizabeth May, Co-Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “The U.S. is becoming a less reliable partner, and we cannot afford to be caught off guard. We need a plan that ensures we are resilient, united, and ready to defend our economy and our sovereignty.”
A Strong, United Response
The Green Party urges the government to act immediately by:
- Mobilizing Diplomatic Efforts – Launching a swift diplomatic tour to coordinate a response with key allies, including Mexico, Panama, Denmark, and the European Union, ensuring they understand the severity of the threat and can act in solidarity.
- Strengthening Interprovincial Trade – Removing trade barriers between provinces so Canada functions as a truly unified economy, reducing dependence on U.S. imports and exports.
- Investing in Canadian Productivity – Directing the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to explore re-entering the business of building housing, using Canada’s vast lumber and natural resources to address both affordability and economic resilience.
- Ensuring Immediate Support for Workers and Small Businesses – Guaranteeing unencumbered access to emergency government support and loans for laid-off workers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and vulnerable communities if tariffs are imposed.
- Exploring Legal Countermeasures – Investigating avenues to shut down Amazon’s access to the Canadian market if the U.S. imposes punitive tariffs, while investing in Canada Post to strengthen domestic e-commerce and supply chains.
- Diversifying Trade Relationships – Expanding trade with partners beyond the U.S., particularly Brazil and other nations aligned with Canada’s climate and human rights commitments.
A Call for Action, Not Just Reaction
“The solutions to Trump’s threats aren’t in Washington but at home and with our allies in Europe, South America and Oceania. These solutions will take time to put in place, but we must not fall into the temptation of reverting to some unpredictable status quo and entering concessions with an unreliable partner,» said Jonathan Pedneault, Co-Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “There is a path to greater economic and diplomatic resilience. We must now grab it by rallying our friends around us and investing in our country instead of the billionaires and big businesses that continue to milk our country dry on the back of workers and our environment. Canadians need to be prepared for difficult times ahead, but they also need to know that there is no greater force in this land than our common resolve when we so chose it.”
“Canada cannot afford to be caught in a cycle of economic dependency and reactionary policies,” added MP Mike Morrice. “We must think long-term—investing in domestic infrastructure, protecting workers, and ensuring that we have the means to stand strong in the face of external pressures. The time to act is now.”
A Moment to Rethink Canada’s Economic Future
With a temporary 30-day delay from the U.S. administration, Canada has a rare opportunity to prepare, rather than simply react. The Green Party urges the federal government to take bold action now—not just to counter this latest threat, but to ensure Canada emerges stronger, more independent, and less vulnerable to the whims of any foreign power.
#####
For more information or to arrange an interview :
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press secretary
514-463-0021