OTTAWA — Just moments before the announcement of the new Liberal leader on Sunday, former prime minister Jean Chrétien took the stage with a blunt message for U.S. President Donald Trump: enough is enough.
Addressing a crowd of Liberal supporters in Ottawa, Chrétien condemned the Trump administration’s escalating tariffs and aggressive stance toward Canada, warning that the historically strong relationship between the two countries is deteriorating under continued hostility.
Chrétien praised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government and Canada’s premiers for their firm stance in recent weeks, pushing back against Trump’s threats. He argued that Canada’s response has been justified and suggested the country could go even further by targeting key American industries with export taxes on oil, gas, potash, steel, aluminum, and electricity—hitting the U.S. “where it really hurts.” The revenue from such measures, he proposed, could be reinvested in Canadian infrastructure.
While acknowledging that Trump’s trade actions would harm both economies, Chrétien stressed that for Canada, this fight is about more than just dollars and cents—it’s about sovereignty and national pride.
“From one old guy to another old guy, stop this nonsense,” Chrétien quipped to applause. “Canada will never become the 51st state.”
He went on to declare that Canada remains “the best country in the world” and, in a moment of biting humor, thanked Trump for inadvertently uniting Canadians “as never before.” With a smirk, he even joked that Trump should be awarded the Order of Canada for his unintended contribution to national unity.
Despite his sharp words, Chrétien emphasized that Canada and the U.S. have always found ways to resolve differences in the past and will continue to do so in the future. “We’ve had our share of problems, but we’ve always worked together. And we will again.”
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence that Canada’s next prime minister will collaborate with provincial leaders, opposition parties, and global allies to counteract the challenges Trump’s administration is posing—not just for Canada, but for the world.
Trump, meanwhile, has doubled down on his economic threats, including new tariffs and vague warnings of “economic force” to push Canada into closer alignment with the U.S. After briefly imposing—and then pausing—25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, he announced in a Fox News interview that broader “reciprocal” tariffs are set to take effect on April 2, sending markets into turmoil over fears of an escalating trade war.
