Canada election: Carney meets with cupboard to plan Canada’s response to Trump’s escalating commerce battle

Champagne grilled earlier than cupboard assembly

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne took questions from reporters this morning earlier than he entered the Canada-U.S. relations cupboard committee assembly that was convened within the wake of Trump’s tariff announcement final evening.

Requested about Trump’s social media threats towards Canada and the E.U., Champagne stated, “We’re at all times conscious of what the president says, however my job — our job — is to combat for Canadians, is to combat for the industries, is to combat for employees.”

He pointed to Carney’s announcement yesterday of a $2-billion fund to assist autoworkers, and stated the federal government is dedicated to beefing up Canada’s home provide chain.

“What I wish to say for employees at residence, we have now your again. We have been there earlier than. We’ll be there to assist you,” Champagne stated. “We’ll be sure that we construct a made-in-Canada provide chain to construct automobiles on this nation. And positively, one factor that Washington understands is that we are going to arise.”

Champagne didn’t reply a query about whether or not the Canadian economic system will collapse due to the tariffs. He stated that Trump’s strikes will result in inflation, decrease competitors and better costs — within the U.S.