Canada firmly responds to U.S. tariff escalation threats as politicians intensively voice their positions

Canadian politicians issued a flurry of statements on the 24th in response to the latest U.S. tariff threats, stressing that Canada will not accept an unequal bilateral relationship and may take measures such as economic relief and export restrictions to address the Canada-U.S. trade war.Canadian Prime Minister Kearney stated that Canada will only return to the negotiating table if the U.S. changes its stance and establishes a genuine partnership. He refuses to accept the notion that “Canada is a subsidiary of the United States,” nor does he accept Canada’s disadvantaged position in U.S. relations. Kearney further pointed out that American actions limit Canada’s ability to sign trade agreements with other countries and violate Canada’s “core cultural interests.”Canadian Finance Minister Shang Pengfei said the government will provide support policies to enterprises affected by the tariffs. Canada’s priority remains building a strong domestic economy, eliminating interprovincial trade barriers, advancing economic diversification, and implementing major projects at home.Former Canadian Prime Minister Chrétien suggested that the government should impose export taxes on certain goods in response to new U.S. tariff measures. According to Chrétien, the only way to remain invincible is to strike at the heart of the opponent. He specifically mentioned Canadian commodities highly relied on by the U.S., including energy, oil, natural gas, and potash, noting that the benefit of an export tax is that it is paid by Americans, not Canadians.Ontario Premier Ford said that Canada needs to “use every means at its disposal” to retaliate, and if the trade dispute escalates further, Canada should be ready to cut off electricity and critical mineral supplies to the U.S. (Xinhua News Agency)