Chrystia Freeland Gives Statement On Trump Policy
Chrystia Freeland, former Canadian Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, issued a sharp warning to President Donald Trump this week, vowing economic retaliation if his administration proceeds with new tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Freeland, who is positioning herself as a successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, did not mince words in her remarks.
“I have a message today for President Trump,” Freeland declared. “If you force our hand, we will inflict the biggest trade blow that the United States has ever endured.”
Her fiery response followed Trump’s executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum, set to take effect on March 12. Trudeau swiftly denounced the measure, calling it “entirely unjustified.” Freeland doubled down on that sentiment during an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, where she condemned the tariffs as “illegal, unjustified, and self-mutilating”—arguing that they would ultimately harm the United States more than Canada.
Freeland reminded American audiences of Canada’s economic significance, stating, “We are actually your largest market. We are larger than China, Japan, the U.K., and France combined. And that means we have economic leverage.” She warned that Canada would not hesitate to use that leverage to counter Trump’s trade policies.
A message for President Trump: pic.twitter.com/hHMA5L0DnS
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) February 10, 2025
When asked what such retaliation might entail, Freeland outlined a strategy of targeted economic countermeasures, including a “dollar-for-dollar” response to any tariff imposed. Among her proposals: a 100% tariff on all Tesla vehicles and restrictions on Wisconsin dairy farmers—both calculated moves aimed at pressuring key constituencies tied to Trump’s political base.
“We are going to go after American stakeholders who matter to the White House,” she stated bluntly. “Another group that we’re going to go after is Wisconsin dairy farmers. We know how important they are for the president, and we’re not going to let them sell their products in Canada anymore.”
Freeland was careful to frame the dispute as a last resort, insisting, “We do not want to have a fight with you. We would prefer to be your partner.” However, she made it clear that Canada would not hesitate to strike back if necessary.
Her final remarks reinforced the calculated nature of Canada’s potential countermeasures. “We will design our retaliation to target the people who we think are the most influential, the people who, if they are feeling pain from our retaliation, will say to the president, ‘let’s not do this anymore.’”