Singh calls for party leaders to stop Trump’s tax with retaliation

TORONTO—NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on Canada's party leaders to withhold targeted critical minerals that America needs in addition to implementing retaliatory tariffs if American President Donald Trump moves ahead with his punishing 25 per cent tax on all Canadian goods.

“It’s time to fight like hell for Canadian jobs and more affordability,” said Singh. “Canada is the greatest nation on earth. A country where we take care of our neighbours, and we believe in fairness. Trump’s tax threats fly in the face of what Canada believes – it will mean job losses for hundreds of thousands of Canadians, higher prices for Americans and Canadians, and a weaker Canadian dollar – driving up inflation for Canadians yet again.

“But our great country has in abundance what Donald Trump and America need – like cobalt and lithium for electric vehicle batteries. In order to continue to export all minerals and products to the United States without job-killing tariffs, we need to stand up to the bully now. There’s no economic pressure stronger than withholding what Donald Trump needs. If Donald Trump comes for Canadian jobs and affordability, he’ll be attacking his plan, American jobs and affordability, too.”

Singh said Canada must be ready to compensate impacted sectors to protect jobs. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s actions are raising concerns about how he’d deal with Trump, said Singh.

“I’ll do my part in the fight against Trump, I’ve laid out my plan. What would Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives do?” Singh asked. “The fact is, Donald Trump and Elon Musk love Poilievre because they’re billionaires. They know they'll get even richer on the backs of the Canadian middle class if he's in power, and that he’ll suck up to them long before he ever stands up to them.”

Singh and the NDP are also calling for investment to build more of what we need in Canada and create good union paying jobs. They have previously called for a strong plan to fight back against Trump’s tariffs, including a Jobs War Room that includes provincial and territorial premiers and unions; a challenge under the CUSMA trade agreement ready to go; work to diversify trade partners; and hiring thousands of border officers after the last Conservative government, with Poilievre in cabinet, cut 1,100 border officers.