Canada would be “better off” without Carney negotiating tariffs: Poilievre

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Canada would “be better off” without Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade negotiations as tariffs against various Canadian goods continue to pile up.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Canada would “be better off” without Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade negotiations as tariffs against various Canadian goods continue to pile up.

Poilievre slammed Carney’s international trade performance Thursday, accusing the Liberal government of worsening Canada’s tariff disputes with China and other crucial trading partners.

Poilievre opposes dropping EV tariffs on China, blames Carney for trade weakness. Responding to a True North question during a Parliament Hill press conference, Poilievre stated his opposition to lifting tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, criticizing Carney’s handling of Canada’s international trade.

“No, I would not,” Poilievre said when asked if he would remove EV tariffs. “This is another example of Mark Carney’s weakness.”

Poilievre pointed to ongoing Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola and seafood exports, saying Carney has failed to respond with strength while continuing to approve taxpayer-backed purchases of Chinese goods.

“So Beijing hits Canada with higher tariffs on canola and fish harvesters and numerous other agricultural products,” Poilievre said. “And what does Mark Carney do? He gives them a billion-dollar taxpayer-backed loan so we can buy Chinese-made ships.”

Poilievre accused Carney of costing Canadian workers jobs by supporting trade with a country that has targeted Canadian farmers and exporters.

“It’s incredible. Everywhere Mark Carney goes, we get hit with higher tariffs,” Poilievre said. “It’s not his travelling, it’s his results.”

The Conservative leader also cited Carney’s past trips to Washington, London, and Beijing, claiming that each visit was followed by worsening trade conditions for Canada.

“He goes to Washington — the Americans double tariffs. He goes to the UK — they lock in the blockade against Canadian beef. He meets with the Chinese premier — they double tariffs on our farmers and fish harvesters,” Poilievre said.

“We would be better off if Mark Carney would hide under a rock than we are with him travelling around the world.”

Poilievre also criticized recent trade announcements by the federal government, describing them as vague, non-binding “public relations tours” that have failed to deliver meaningful results for Canadian industry.

“These agreements he gets — they’re not agreements. They’re declarations that, on the very first page, say they have no legal binding and no finances involved,” he said.

Poilievre concluded by calling for a “new direction” that prioritizes Canadian industry, lower taxes and a stronger business environment.

Currently Canola tariffs from China sit at 75.8 per cent. A week after Beijing dealt the blow on the $43.7 billion Canadian canola industry, Australian Canola farmers began receiving more orders from Chinese buyers.

Western premiers have called on Ottawa to act to protect the industry, including a call from Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to drop the EV tariffs on China, something that the Premier reversed course on in September.