Poilievre urges Carney not to concede to U.S. tariff demands in trade talks
Conservative leader warns against further concessions ahead of a new round of 50 per cent U.S. tariffs taking effect in 10 days, while dairy farmers resist supply management negotiation.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to stand firm against U.S. President Donald Trump's demands during trade negotiations, warning that Canada has already given too much ground.
In a letter to Carney, Poilievre says Ottawa has conceded to several of Trump's demands over the past year, including eliminating the digital service tax and removing counter-tariffs on the United States. The Opposition leader said Canadians deserve a government "with a backbone" and pledged that the Conservative Party supports Carney's efforts to build domestic strength and leverage for a tariff-free deal.
A new round of 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on a range of Canadian goods is set to take effect in about 10 days. The U.S. has cited Canada's supply management system, which protects domestic dairy, as a key trade irritant. Trump has repeatedly complained about the level of U.S. dairy farmers' access to Canada's market.
Carney said Thursday that his government is loyal to the supply management system. Dairy Farmers of Canada urged the government not to offer concessions regarding the industry in trade talks, warning that Canada has already made several concessions only to face fresh U.S. demands each time.
The standoff puts the government in a difficult position: protecting a domestic industry that has long resisted trade liberalization while facing mounting American pressure on what is traditionally a contentious trade issue between the two countries.
Will Carney respond publicly to Poilievre's letter before the August 19 tariff deadline?
Which other Canadian industries beyond dairy are preparing for the 50 per cent tariffs?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
When are the next U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods scheduled to take effect?
A new round of 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on a range of Canadian goods is set to take effect in approximately 10 days from the article's publication date of August 9, 2026, which would be around August 19, 2026.
What concessions has Canada made to the U.S. in the past year?
According to Pierre Poilievre's letter to Prime Minister Carney, Canada has eliminated the digital service tax and removed counter-tariffs on the United States over the past year.
