Canadian conservative says Ottawa should remove all tariffs

OTTAWA – As Canadians prepare for President Donald Trump’s upcoming tariffs on Wednesday, one political leader is suggesting a bold approach to improve Canada-U.S. relations. Maxime Bernier, head of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) and former foreign affairs minister, believes now is the time for Canada to eliminate all tariffs against the U.S.

Bernier argues that the retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada in response to Trump’s actions are ultimately hurting Canadians more than Americans. He suggests that a zero-tariff policy on both sides would be the most effective response to the situation.

In contrast, newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that Canada will implement retaliatory tariffs in response to the U.S. trade actions. However, Bernier believes that a trade war with the U.S. would lead to a recession in Canada and is urging for a different approach.

Former Conservative politician Tony Clement also acknowledges the economic sense in removing Canadian tariffs but highlights the public’s current distrust and anger towards the U.S. Clement suggests that the emotional wounds caused by Trump’s actions may make it difficult for Canadian leaders to pursue a tariff-free policy at this time.

Conservative strategist Yaroslav Baran points out that under the USMCA, trade in goods and services between Canada and the U.S. should be tariff-free. However, he notes that the removal of Canadian tariffs may not be feasible as long as the U.S. maintains tariffs on Canadian products.

Bernier proposes implementing free-market reforms in Canada, such as lowering corporate taxes and promoting growth in sectors like oil and gas. He also advocates for ending supply management, which he describes as a communist system that inflates prices for Canadian consumers.

Overall, Bernier believes that Canada should be open to discussing all aspects of the USMCA and addressing trade issues before the scheduled joint review next year. By taking a proactive approach to trade negotiations, Canada could potentially improve relations with the U.S. and benefit its economy in the long run.

Christopher Guly, an Ottawa-based journalist and member of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, has reported on these developments and the potential impact on Canada-U.S. relations. Follow him on @ChristopherGuly for more updates on this evolving situation.