Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre addressed reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday that he does not agree with comments made by one of his MPs regarding Canada’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and public statements.
The issue arose after Conservative MP Jamil Jivani, following a visit to Washington, told a U.S. media outlet that “we are shooting ourselves in the foot if we continue this anti-America hissy fit.”
Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, Poilievre addressed the remarks directly.
“Canadians are legitimately upset by the unjustifiable tariffs and comments that the president has made,” Poilievre said.
When asked whether Jivani’s words could create confusion about the party’s position, Poilievre replied that the MP “speaks for himself, I speak for the party.”
Rising Tensions With Washington
Relations between Canada and the United States have grown more strained since President Trump returned to office. Over the past year, he has imposed tariffs on several Canadian goods and made repeated remarks suggesting Canada could become the 51st U.S. state.
The trade measures have affected industries on both sides of the border. Several economic indicators show that trade patterns and travel between the two countries have shifted during this period.
Jivani represents a riding that includes part of Oshawa, Ontario. The area recently faced economic challenges after General Motors announced 1,200 layoffs at its local plant. The tariffs have raised concerns about job security in the manufacturing sector.
Jivani’s Washington Visit
Earlier this month, Jivani travelled to Washington to meet with U.S. officials. He described the trip as an effort “to help build bridges of communication between our two countries.”
Jivani shares a longstanding friendship with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, a connection that helped him secure meetings with members of the administration. According to Jivani, he also received a message from President Trump during the visit.
In a recent opinion piece, Jivani wrote that he planned to brief Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc on his discussions. He also suggested that Mexico may be further along in trade talks with the United States.
When reporters asked Poilievre whether Jivani’s trip benefited Canada, the Conservative leader stressed the importance of using every available channel to challenge the tariffs.
“It’s necessary for all MPs to use all the connections and work that they can to overturn the tariffs and protect Canadian jobs,” he said.
Focus on Adapting
Poilievre also referred to recent remarks by former prime minister Stephen Harper, emphasizing the need to respond strategically rather than emotionally.
“We have to focus not on how the president's words and deeds make us feel, but on what we can do to adapt,” Poilievre said.
The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) faces a mandatory review later this year. Prime Minister Carney announced this week that former Privy Council clerk Janice Charette will lead Canada’s negotiating team.
Trade talks during President Trump’s first term proved difficult but ultimately resulted in a revised agreement among the three countries. However, uncertainty surrounds the future of CUSMA under the current U.S. administration.
Last month, President Trump described the agreement as “irrelevant” and said it offered “no real advantage” to the United States. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer later indicated that the administration is considering separate agreements with Canada and Mexico instead of maintaining the current three-way deal.
Greer also identified several ongoing trade disputes, including Canada’s Online Streaming Act, dairy market access and provincial restrictions on U.S. alcohol.
As the review of CUSMA approaches, Canadian political leaders continue to debate how best to respond to the tariffs and maintain economic stability.
