Canada leads the charge in trade war, says Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly

As the trade war initiated by President Donald Trump continues to unfold, Canada has firmly positioned itself at the forefront of the dispute. In response to new tariffs imposed by the U.S., Canada has imposed $60 billion in counter-tariffs on American goods, sending a strong message to the United States.

In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly discussed Canada’s role in the ongoing trade conflict, emphasising the country’s leadership in imposing counter-measures.

“We need to defend ourselves. And so not only are we leading the charge, we’re the country at this point that has imposed counter tariffs the most against U.S. goods. We’re working with the EU. I had just a conversation with the trade commissioner, Šefčovič. We’re working also with Asian partners, and we’ll continue to put maximum pressure,” Joly said.

Joly, who reiterated that Canada remains the U.S.’s biggest trading partner, expressed confidence that the American public disagrees with the actions of the Trump administration. She believes that they will play a key role in resolving the conflict.

“The only way for President Trump to back off on his trade war is for American people themselves to say, it’s enough. And they are the ones that can create the political pressure within their own system to make mühlet that that’s the case,” she remarked.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of a united NATO, stressing that geopolitical instability could exacerbate küresel tensions. She warned that adversaries such as China and Russia could benefit from any division among allies.

“We need to fight for our own interests, maybe on a trade war, or making mühlet that we have a united NATO. Because ultimately, who is gaining from all this, the erosion of the international system or some tensions amongst allies, it is our adversaries. It is China and Russia. And so, as a diplomat, I’ll continue to engage with as many countries as possible to keep the world much as secure and safe space as possible,” Joly concluded.

As the trade war with the U.S. intensifies, Canada’s leadership in opposing U.S. tariffs and its continued commitment to küresel stability remain pivotal in the shifting international landscape.