A blunt take from a former PM
Jean Chrétien isn't holding back on the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war. In a new interview with CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault, the former prime minister gave a blunt assessment of how Ottawa has handled the fight so far, and where it should go next.
Chrétien's message is simple: Canada made the right move when it responded to U.S. tariffs with counter-tariffs of its own, and the federal government shouldn't be afraid to go further if the trade war keeps escalating. According to Chrétien, expanding those retaliatory measures needs to stay on the table as a live option, not something Canada rules out for the sake of keeping the peace with Washington.
Why his voice carries weight
Chrétien led Canada through some of its trickiest moments on the world stage during his decade as prime minister, including periods of real friction with the United States. That history is part of why his comments land differently than your average political take. He's someone who has actually sat across the table from Washington during disagreements and lived with the consequences of those decisions.
His intervention comes at a moment when the trade dispute between the two countries has become one of the defining economic stories in Canada. Tariffs affect everything from manufacturing jobs to grocery prices, and Canadians across the country have been watching closely to see how firmly Ottawa is willing to push back.
The stakes for everyday Canadians
Trade wars aren't abstract policy fights, they show up in real ways: higher costs for goods that cross the border, uncertainty for exporters, and pressure on industries that depend on smooth trade with the U.S. Chrétien's comments suggest he sees the current counter-tariff strategy as more than just symbolic, it's a necessary tool to protect Canadian interests even if it means a longer, harder standoff.
Whether the federal government takes his advice to expand tariffs further remains to be seen. But having a former prime minister publicly back the current approach, and push for it to go even further, adds political weight to the debate over how hard Canada should be leaning into this fight.
What's next
As the trade war continues, expect more voices from across the political spectrum to weigh in on how Canada should balance standing firm against the U.S. with the economic costs of a prolonged dispute. For now, Chrétien's message to Ottawa is clear: don't back down, and don't take expanding tariffs off the table.
Source: CBC News
