Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre responded to Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods by introducing a string of “Canada first” measures that he said Prime Minister Trudeau should impose.

The US President-elect, who takes office in less than two months, made a post to Truth Social on Monday night, threatening drastic economic punishment if Canada and Mexico don’t take action to tighten their borders and the flow of illegal drugs and migrants to the states. While the problem is primarily one coming from Mexico, it’s a growing problem from Canada, too.

The Conservative leader called on Prime Minister Trudeau to “stop partisan politics” and just axe the carbon tax, which Trudeau plans to jack up again in April.

Further, Poilievre said Trudeau should drop his recently announced energy cap, which the Liberals frame as an emissions cap but Conservatives say will in effect be a production cap. 

Poilievre also said Canada must “secure our borders” and rebuild the Canadian military. The Canadian Armed Forces became infected with wokeism shortly after Trudeau was elected, and it’s since been unable to recruit enough patriots to defend their country. 

Prime Minister Trudeau addressed reporters Tuesday morning and issued a quick statement without taking questions, saying he spoke with Trump two hours after his threat. Trudeau said politicians should “put away partisanship” and take a “team Canada approach.”  

CAF recruitment woes

Canada’s military is currently facing a recruitment disaster that’s recognized internationally. Recently leaked intelligence documents showed Canada’s military woes are known to be “widespread.” 

More members have left the CAF than joined it since COVID vaccines were mandated for all staff. Currently, the CAF is about 14,000 staff short.

In July, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson scolded the Trudeau Liberals for their lack of national defence spending, where Canada is failing to contribute 2% of its GDP, as agreed by NATO allies.