Trump’s tariff threat reveal the weakness of Trudeau

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed this week that he’s going to fulfill his campaign pledges on tariffs. There will be a 10 percent tariff on China for failing to stop the flow of the illegal drug Fentanyl into America. And, he’ll put in place 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada because of their inability to stop illegal drugs and migrants crossing the US border. This puts Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau in a difficult spot.

Trudeau isn’t a strong political leader like Trump. He’s weak, ineffective and a political lightweight

“As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border.”

Trump then laid out his plan. “On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” he wrote. “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”

“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem,” Trump wrote in conclusion. “We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”

Trump strategically used tariffs as a negotiating tactic during his first presidential administration. His nominee for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, who serves as chairman and CEO for two financial services firms, Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Group, admitted as much during the 2024 campaign. 

“Of course, it’s a bargaining chip,” Lutnick said in September. “When you’re running for office, you make broad statements so people understand you. Tariffs are an amazing tool by the president to use. They’re an amazing tool. But he understands, don’t tariff stuff we don’t make. Right? If we don’t make it and you want to buy it, I don’t want to put the price up there. It’s pointless. But use tariffs to build in America.”

That’s why Trump made tariffs the centerpiece of his “America First” economic policy when he was last in power. The initial target was Chinese imports, which led to 30 to 50 percent tariffs on solar panels and washing machines in 2018. The White House then announced tariffs on steel (25 percent) and aluminum (10 percent), which extended to the European Union, Mexico and Canada. Tariffs are Trump’s political weapon of choice and that’s not going to change. 

Trudeau was prime minister during the first Trump administration. He and his Liberal government had to continually negotiate with the then-President until the US removed steel and aluminum tariffs in 2019. He may have to do it all over again — and this time, it’ll be across the board.    

Trudeau isn’t a strong political leader like Trump. He’s weak, ineffective and a political lightweight. He’s nowhere near as ideologically sharp and doesn’t have Trump’s keen eye for strategic communications and political manipulation. If he tried to implement retaliatory tariffs against the US, like the left-wing NDP leader Jagmeet Singh idiotically suggested, that would inflame tensions even further. 

Hence, all he can do is talk with Trump on the phone, as they did this week, and hope for the best. Canadians will prepare for the worse. 

Could Trump’s new tariff warning be nothing more than bluster? It’s certainly possible. Trump has announced the forthcoming 25 percent tariffs nearly two months before his return to the Oval Office. This gives Trudeau and his senior Liberal advisors some time to deal with illegal drugs and immigration at the Canada-US border before Trump’s inauguration early next year.

Otherwise, Trump is going to make life hell for Trudeau and Canadian consumers alike. 

Fortunately for Canadians, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is well on his way to becoming Canada’s next prime minister in 2025. He’s far more intelligent, strategic and politically astute than Trudeau. If Trump’s tariffs do materialize, Poilievre may be Canada’s best (and only) hope of getting them removed quickly.