Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre on Monday pressed Prime Minister Mark Carney to recall Parliament, arguing that Canadians need answers and action as the trade dispute with the United States intensifies.
“As Canadians are vulnerable to an escalating trade war with the United States, Parliament must be reconvened. Canadians deserve answers on how trade talks collapsed, what tariffs will cost their families, and how their jobs will be protected,” Poilievre wrote on X, attaching a formal letter to Carney.
The letter warns that “the failure to secure a durable trade agreement, together with escalating tariffs, now threatens deeper economic pain on top of a decade of rising costs and zero economic growth in the Canadian economy.”
Carney pulled Canadian negotiators from trade discussions with Washington on Friday, hours before new U.S. tariffs took effect. The following day, he announced retaliatory tariffs on American goods starting September 8, matching the Trump administration’s latest 50 percent levies dollar-for-dollar.
“We will match Washington’s new tariffs dollar for dollar in order to protect Canadian workers, farmers, families and businesses,” Carney said in a press conference, framing the measures as defensive.
The collapse of talks marks a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighbors, which have long enjoyed a close economic and security partnership. President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of making Canada the 51st state, a notion firmly rejected by Canadian leaders.
Poilievre’s demand for a parliamentary session comes as lawmakers are on recess, leaving the government to act unilaterally. He insisted that “Prime Minister, reconvene Parliament now.”
The escalating dispute has drawn attention in Washington, with some U.S. lawmakers warning of economic fallout for border states. Senator Susan Collins has broken with the White House over the tariffs, citing potential harm to Maine’s economy. Meanwhile, Trump has accused Canada of seeking state benefits without statehood, further inflaming tensions.
The trade war escalated sharply over the weekend, with both sides imposing steep duties. Analysts warn that prolonged uncertainty could hit key sectors such as autos, agriculture, and energy. Carney has called the U.S. tariffs an “attack” on Canada and signaled that the bilateral trade pact is in jeopardy.
The Hill has reached out to Carney’s office for comment.
