Poilievre criticizes Trump and urges Canada to focus on what it can control

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's trade and tariff policies in a speech to the Economic Club of Canada and urged Canadians to strengthen the domestic economy, diversify trade and prepare for this summer's CUSMA review.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a speech at the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto outlining how Canada should respond to U.S. policies. He criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's trade and tariff approach and said Canada cannot control foreign leaders but can control its own economic strength. Poilievre laid out policy priorities including trade diversification, a review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and proposals related to critical minerals and defence procurement. He framed these measures as ways to protect Canadian sovereignty and economic resilience. What was said: - Poilievre said Canada cannot control decisions of foreign presidents and criticized Trump’s trade and tariff policies. - He urged focusing on domestic strength through trade diversification and preparing for the upcoming CUSMA review. - He proposed a strategic critical minerals reserve, tighter controls on foreign takeovers of sensitive sectors, and repayment rules when intellectual property is moved abroad. - He said defence purchases from the U.S. should be proportionate to Canada’s trade treatment and called for streamlined military procurement. Summary: Poilievre presented these priorities ahead of this summer's CUSMA review and urged using Canada’s economic and strategic leverage in talks with allies and the United States. The outcomes of those policy efforts and any government responses are undetermined at this time.