‘100% tariffs on Teslas’: Canadian PM candidate reveals tariff response plans against U.S. | HO

Canadian candidate for prime minister Chrystia Freeland reveals her plans for strategic tariffs against the United States if she wins the office in coming days.

In an unprecedented and dramatic move, Chrystia Freeland, a leading candidate for Prime Minister of Canada, has unveiled an aggressive tariff strategy in response to the Trump administration’s imminent tariffs targeting Canadian goods. Freeland, who has previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister under Justin Trudeau, stunned observers when she specifically targeted politically sensitive American industries—including a remarkable promise to impose a 100% tariff on Teslas.

This bold announcement arrives mere hours before the Trump administration’s planned imposition of 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, effective at midnight tonight. The policy shift has already sparked chaos in financial markets, sending the Dow Jones plummeting nearly 650 points as traders anticipate substantial economic fallout. American consumers face imminent increases in the price of groceries, fuel, and numerous other essentials.

Freeland’s calculated tariff strategy is explicitly designed to hit President Trump politically and economically. Her proposals include surgical, state-specific measures aimed at key American industries such as Wisconsin dairy, Michigan manufacturing, and Florida citrus—regions crucial to Trump’s political base. The centerpiece of her strategy, however, is undeniably the threat of a 100% tariff on Tesla vehicles, directly challenging billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, whose outsized influence and support have been central to Trump’s economic narrative.

“Canada must stand up and fight for our economy,” Freeland declared in a televised interview. “If these tariffs are imposed, as Prime Minister, I will ensure Canada retaliates dollar for dollar. Our response will be surgical, precise, and designed to exert maximum pressure on the White House to reconsider what even The Wall Street Journal describes as ‘the dumbest trade war in history.’”

Freeland further amplified her stance by signaling openness to cancel Canada’s contracts with Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet service. This move would significantly expand the economic pressure on Musk’s sprawling corporate empire and send a clear, unequivocal message to the Trump administration about the seriousness of Canada’s response.

“Americans may underestimate Canada, seeing us as small or inconsequential, but the reality is, the U.S. economy is deeply dependent on Canada,” Freeland emphasized. “We’re America’s largest export market—larger than China, Japan, the U.K., and France combined. This relationship has historically been mutually beneficial, and these tariffs jeopardize that balance.”

Freeland’s appeal extended directly to American citizens, urging them to voice their concerns directly to the White House and their congressional representatives. “Call the White House, your congressmen, your senators, and governors. Let them know this approach is utterly self-destructive. It hurts American families, retirement accounts, and everyday consumer costs.”

She highlighted specific threats Americans now face, noting, “These tariffs mean a tax on oil, gas, and electricity imported from Canada. It means higher grocery bills since 80% of your fertilizer comes from Canada. These costs will trickle down directly to the American consumer.”

Political analysts see Freeland’s aggressive stance as a potential turning point in U.S.-Canada relations, positioning Canada not merely as a reactive player but as a proactive force willing to leverage substantial economic clout. Her strategic targeting of politically sensitive regions within the U.S. is calculated to amplify domestic political pressure on Trump, potentially reshaping the broader political landscape leading into the next election cycle.

Freeland, drawing on her extensive background as an internationally respected journalist and economist, underscored the absurdity of Trump’s trade policies, characterizing them as “self-mutilating.” She argued passionately that Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are a reluctant necessity rather than a preferred path. “We don’t want to escalate, but we will not stand by while our economy suffers unfairly,” she asserted.

The candidate also took a moment to address broader geopolitical tensions, expressing profound concern over Trump’s recent behavior toward Ukraine, particularly his humiliating treatment of President Zelensky in the Oval Office. Freeland, a longtime expert on Eastern European politics, strongly condemned Trump’s stance, describing his alignment with Russian narratives as “shameful and appalling.”

“We are witnessing a U.S. president openly parroting Kremlin talking points,” she stated, reaffirming Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s democratic government and its sovereignty. “Ukrainians are fighting bravely, alone, to protect democracy. We should be grateful and stand clearly beside them.”

As Canada and the U.S. stand at the precipice of a trade war, Freeland’s declarations mark a significant escalation. With tariffs now hours away, the potential economic implications are vast. Her explicit call for American citizens to directly lobby their government highlights both the seriousness of the moment and the potential for significant backlash within the U.S. itself.

Chrystia Freeland’s bold tariff stance has thrust her candidacy into the international spotlight, framing her as a fierce advocate for Canadian economic interests against unprecedented American economic hostility. As the clock ticks closer to midnight, her decisive strategy sends a clear message to Washington: Canada is prepared to fight back—and its measures will be carefully calculated to inflict maximum political and economic impact.

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