Poilievre urges Carney to stop yielding to U.S. trade demands ahead of tariff deadline

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, co-authored with policy adviser Shuvaloy Majumdar, demanding a tougher stance in the escalating Canada-U.S. trade negotiations. The correspondence listed recent U.S. requests that Ottawa has reportedly met, including abandoning the digital services tax, removing Canadian counter-tariffs and agreeing to share toll revenue from the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

Poilievre argued that these concessions have coincided with soaring American tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and lumber, harming manufacturing hubs. He outlined a “good deal” vision: zero tariffs on softwood lumber, elimination of sectoral steel and aluminum duties, a tariff-free auto pact and full exemption from Buy America rules for all government projects. With a fresh 50 % U.S. tariff regime set to begin on Aug. 19, the Conservatives also called for a strategic reserve of critical minerals and a renewed 16-year CUSMA term, while dairy producers warned the government not to compromise the supply-management system. Sources indicated Ottawa may lift bans on U.S. alcohol and ease retaliatory auto tariffs in exchange for U.S. tariff relief and a joint announcement to resume CUSMA talks in the fall.