Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is taking his tariff-free trade pitch directly to Americans, arguing Canada and the United States should tear down trade barriers as tensions between the two countries escalate.
On today’s episode of Straight Up with Marc Patrone, political strategist Georganne Burke weighs in on Poilievre’s New York media tour and why she believes he is trying to repair Canada-U.S. relations while Prime Minister Mark Carney takes a more confrontational approach.
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“My mission here is to fight for my country, not to score political points domestically,” Poilievre told CNBC. “Politics ends at the border.”
Poilievre argues tariff-free trade would lower costs and grow paycheques on both sides of the border, while calling on Canada to cut taxes, accelerate project approvals and unleash its natural resources to become the “richest country” in the world.
Burke also addresses speculation that Poilievre’s U.S. tour is aimed at shoring up support within his own party. While acknowledging internal Conservative tensions could be a factor, she argues his primary goal is reaching Americans directly and rebuilding the cross-border relationship.
Plus, Burke takes aim at Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over her opposition to Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline and questions why Ontario Premier Doug Ford has remained relatively quiet despite repeatedly attacking U.S. President Donald Trump.
Finally, Burke weighs in on whether Poilievre should seek a meeting with Trump, arguing a public meeting may be inappropriate for an opposition leader but that he could work through senior administration officials, congressional leaders or private backchannels to get his message to the president.
