Former Canadian Deputy PM Warns Trump Tariffs Will Be Met with “Surgical” Retaliation

Former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland issued a sharp warning to Donald Trump, vowing that any tariffs imposed on Canada would be met with equal, if not greater, retaliation. Speaking on MSNBC’s Velshi on Sunday, Freeland emphasized Canada’s critical role as a U.S. trade partner and took direct aim at billionaire Elon Musk, who has reportedly influenced Trump’s economic policies.

Freeland made it clear that the United States relies heavily on Canadian resources, particularly energy. “If you didn’t have Canadian electricity, the lights in your building right now might not be shining,” she told host Ali Velshi. “And Trump Tower, you know, that famous escalator, it might not be operating because you get electricity from Canada for New York.”

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She further highlighted Canada’s contribution to U.S. fuel supplies. “A lot of your oil comes from Canada, so when people are filling their tanks up with gas, they should say, ‘Thank you, Canadian friends, for providing this.’ And truly, at a time when consumers don’t want to pay higher prices, at a time when the United States needs more energy rather than less, it is just self-defeating and self-mutilating to be talking about putting a tax on the energy you get from us.”

Freeland then turned her attention to Musk, warning that Canada and other affected nations would not hesitate to retaliate if Trump moved forward with trade tariffs. “You know, I think Americans are the ones who invented the term: ‘The customer is always right.’ Well, we are your biggest customer, so watch out. If you hit us, we will hit back and our retaliation, unlike these across-the-board tariffs, is going to be surgically targeted.”

She elaborated on the potential consequences for U.S. industries, particularly Musk’s Tesla empire. “We’re going to design it so we do the minimum harm to ourselves and have the maximum impact in the United States, and we are going to target constituencies that have particular influence in the White House,” she said.

“So one of the things I am proposing is a 100% tariff on Teslas, and I am inviting all the countries in the world that would be affected by these tariffs to join us. I think that would get us some attention in the Oval Office.” Freeland’s comments come amid growing speculation that she may enter the race to become Canada’s next prime minister in the upcoming federal elections.

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Her strong stance against Trump’s economic policies suggests she would take a firm position on trade relations with the U.S. if she assumes office. As Trump continues to float protectionist policies and Musk remains a key influence in his orbit, the potential for an international trade dispute looms. With Canada threatening targeted countermeasures, the pressure is mounting for U.S. leaders to consider the economic repercussions of new tariffs.

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