For Immediate Release:

A SHOT ACROSS THE BOW

Toronto, November 27, 2024: US President-elect Donald Trump’s statement that he plans to levy tariffs on all imports of as much as 25 per cent if Canada does not act quickly to clean up border security issues must be taken seriously. Concerningly, some of Canada’s Liberal cabinet and even some businesses leaders have rejected Trump’s threats as hollow, claiming that Trump will never act on this as it would be too damaging to the US economy. The only full-throated response has come from Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, who recognizes that serious policy changes are needed, not platitudes and blame shifting.

Catherine Swift, President of the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses Canada

(CCMBC) stated “Considering the enormous negative impact this would have on Canada, it is ill-advised to believe Trump will not follow through on penalizing imports from Canada.

Furthermore, it is well known that Canada’s border problems have been serious for some time under lax Trudeau government immigration and drug policies that threaten the safety and security of Canadians.”

Some politicians and commentators are attempting to blame Trump for threatening Canada.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford made the foolish comment that Trump’s threat was “like a family member stabbing you right in the heart”. Swift noted “Instead of trying to pawn off blame, federal and provincial politicians should recognize they are the ones responsible for making our economy vulnerable to such measures by enabling the chaos at our border and implementing policies that hurt our business competitiveness.”

Poor government policies and Canada’s now infamous ever-shifting regulatory climate have also led to Mexico replacing Canada as the US’s largest trading partner, a distinction Canada held for decades. Instead of expressing concern over this, too many Canadian politicians seem to be taking a “don’t worry, be happy” approach to the vital Canada-US trading relationship instead of enacting sensible policies to protect businesses and jobs.

Some signals from Canada that Trump’s threats are being taken seriously would be a good first step. One such example is for the Trudeau government to abandon its plans to impose a “plastics registry” on that important industry. This policy proposal has been found to contravene the USMCA trade agreement and has become an ongoing trade irritant. Dropping those plans and

taking other similar measures quickly will be the most effective way of fending off actions that could be devastating for Canada and difficult to reverse once in place.

Swift concluded “It is infuriating that it takes another country’s leader to spur action on matters our governments should never have permitted to happen in the first place. Canada has abused its relationship with the US for decades on issues like NATO, border weaknesses, drug policy, foreign interference and trade, among others, and Canadian businesses and employment have suffered. This recent Trump shot across Canada’s bow must be taken seriously and trigger a rapid response before these words become action. Instead of pointing fingers, Canada’s politicians should be looking in the mirror.”