Canada Has Leverage to Win Trade War with U.S., Says Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says the country is well-positioned to win the ongoing trade war with the United States, arguing that Canada’s deep economic ties to its southern neighbour give it unmatched leverage. Speaking to the BBC’s World Service Weekend programme, Joly made a bold case for Canada’s ability to push back against the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which have ignited economic tension across the continent.

“We are the biggest customer of the U.S.,” Joly said, pointing out that Canada buys more American goods than China, Japan, the UK, and France combined. With Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum already in effect and a new wave of so-called “reciprocal” tariffs expected on April 2, trade is rapidly becoming the top issue for Canadian voters as they prepare to head to the polls on April 28.

Joly emphasized that the damage from the tariffs isn’t limited to Canadians. “Hardworking Americans are feeling the impact too,” she noted. Because of the integrated nature of North American supply chains, U.S. manufacturers and workers are also dealing with rising costs and market disruptions. Joly believes the best hope of ending the trade war lies with Americans themselves. “We can win the hearts and minds of Americans,” she said, arguing that U.S. citizens could pressure their lawmakers to end what she called a senseless economic conflict.

The political implications are heating up alongside the economic ones. Prime Minister Mark Carney has already promised a firm response, including retaliatory tariffs if Trump follows through with his next round of trade measures. Both Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are presenting themselves as the best candidate to stand up to Trump, making the U.S. president an unusual central figure in a Canadian election.

Poilievre, speaking earlier this week, echoed the growing frustration, saying, “There is no good reason to do this to these good people. Stop the tariffs, stop the chaos.” Meanwhile, protests have begun to surface in Canada, including a demonstration in Toronto on Saturday where participants rallied under the slogan “elbows up”—a hockey term symbolizing resistance—repurposed as a call to defend Canadian sovereignty.

Joly, speaking further about the election, said the Liberals are eager to secure a clear mandate from voters to confront U.S. aggression and protect Canadian interests. She emphasized that Canadians are closely watching developments south of the border and are seeking leadership with “strong values” during a time of economic uncertainty.

As Trump ramps up his rhetoric and prepares for the so-called “big one”—a sweeping tariff escalation set for April 2—the coming weeks may define not only Canada’s economic direction but also its political future. With the federal election less than five weeks away, the battle over trade has become more than just a policy dispute—it’s a defining issue of national identity and sovereignty.