'Stabbing you in the heart': Canadian right-wing conservatives slam Trump’s tariff proposals

During the United States' 2024 presidential race, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris had some heated debates over Trump's tariff proposals — which, the vice president warned, would, in effect, be a major "sales tax on the American people" if enacted.

After narrowly defeating Harris by roughly 1.5 or 1.6 percent in the popular vote (according to Cook Political Report), Trump didn't back down from his tariff proposal. And he now promising to impose a 25 percent across-the-board tariff on all Mexican and Canadian goods imported into the U.S. as soon as he is sworn into office in January 2025.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was quick to call Trump out, warning that a 25 percent tariff would have terrible economic consequences. And in Canada, even right-wing conservatives are furious with Trump.

READ MORE: Robert Reich: The last tariff increase 'ended up worsening the Great Depression'

The New Republic's Hafiz Rashid reports that a prominent right-wing figure in Canada — Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who belongs to the country's Conservative Party — equated Trump's tariff proposal with "a family member stabbing you right in the heart."

In a biting speech, Ford said of Trump, "I found his comments unfair. I found them insulting…. I've spent a lot of time in the U.S., and I have yet to talk to one American that has any issue with Canadians."

Ford went on to say, "It's unfortunate. It's very, very hurtful to Canadians and Americans on both sides."

Conservative Canadian leader Pierre Poilievre is angry with Trump as well.

READ MORE: GOP 'far from sold' on Trump’s tariff plan: report

Poilievre, Rashid notes, attacked Trump's tariff proposal as "an unjustified threat," adding, "Our economy is teetering on the brink of collapse, and now, we face this renewed threat. We need a plan to put Canada first."

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Read Hafiz Rashid's full report for The New Republic at this link.