Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the leaders of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories convened on Wednesday to discuss a united strategy against proposed U.S. tariffs. With President Donald Trump suggesting 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports as soon as February, Canadian officials are looking at ways to bolster the domestic market—including reducing interprovincial trade barriers and launching an informal “Buy Canadian” campaign.
Uniting Canada’s Provinces
Trudeau’s office confirmed that the premiers are exploring avenues to make internal trade easier, building on partial liberalization deals from 1995 and 2017. Full internal free trade could potentially increase Canada’s GDP by around 4% per capita, as estimated by the International Monetary Fund. However, critics note that each province has different regulations, creating obstacles to seamless trade within Canada.
The ‘Buy Canadian’ Push
British Columbia Premier David Eby hinted that Canadians might want to rethink shopping trips south of the border, calling U.S. tariff threats “an intended economic attack on families in our province, in our country.” While a patriotic buying campaign could be a rallying cry, some observers doubt it can compete with big-box retailers—Walmart still boasts some of the lowest prices around.
Wait and See
Despite the strong rhetoric, achieving nationwide trade reforms and solidifying a “Buy Canadian” ethos will likely take time and may encounter resistance from provinces unwilling to shoulder potential losses. Alberta’s premier, whose energy-rich province significantly contributes to Canada’s economy, remained notably guarded after the meeting, underscoring the difficult path ahead.
With the clock ticking on the threatened tariffs, Trudeau says Canada must be ready with a robust national response—even as officials scramble to avoid damaging cross-border duties in the first place. Whether internal trade agreements or consumer loyalty campaigns can hold off economic strain remains to be seen.