Poilievre calls on PM to reconvene parliament to counter Trump threat

Canadian politicos were pinned in their own end trying to counter-check US president Donald Trump’s cross border tariffs on Saturday, accusing the American leader of being offside on trade.

The new Trump tariffs will cost the average American household $1,245 in purchasing power, trim GDP by 0.2% and push the total effective tariff rate in the US to the highest level since 1946, as per Yale university.

Prime Minister Trudeau was to make a statement later tonight On possible retaliatory responses.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre called on the PM to immediately reconvene Parliament and pass a comprehensive response.

“We must put CANADA FIRST.

That is why Common Sense Conservatives condemn President Trump’s massive, unjust and unjustified tariffs on Canada’s already weak economy. Canada is the United States’ closest neighbour, greatest ally and best friend. We share the longest undefended border and fought alongside Americans in two world wars, Korea and Afghanistan, where 158 of our brave men and women died helping the U.S. avenge the 9/11 attacks. There is no justification whatsoever for this treatment.    

As expected, Trump went on the power play and imposed blanket 25% surcharges on Mexico and Canada on Saturday, essentially ripping up the North American free trade agreement and daring anyone to stop him.

Through his executive pen, Trump imposed an order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of what he termed “the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl” from both its northern and southern borders.

According to The Donald himself via Twitter (“X”): “Today, I have implemented a 25% tariff on Imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy)… We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as president to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favour of it.”

The premiers emerged from a day-long First Ministers huddle with vague threats of retaliation. 

Even Alberta Premier Danielle Smith — whose lobbying efforts prompted Trump to impose a lower, 10% tariff on oil and natural gas — said she would take “measured” actions to counter them.

In her own Twitter (“X”) statement she said the US refines $100 billion worth of Alberta oil into $300 billion of refined product.

“There is, therefore, no economic justification for tariffs imposed on any Canadian goods.

…More to come