Freeland Urges Allies to Push Back Against Trump’s Trade Tactics

In her new memoir *Unreliable Boyfriend*, former Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland likens the United States under President Donald Trump to an abusive partner. She argues that Canada and other allies have responded to Trump’s “bullying tactics” with “quisling behavior,” offering only symbolic toughness while acquiescing to U.S. demands. Freeland contends that genuine strength—not capitulation—is the only way to secure favorable trade outcomes, a strategy she says helped deliver the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2018.

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum echoed the pressure on allies, saying, “You start going into Europe and they’re like, ‘I will buy anything, but not American technology.’” “You start going into Europe and they’re like, ‘I will buy anything, but not American technology.’” — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Sheinbaum added that Mexico is working to increase U.S. imports to balance trade, underscoring the broader push-and-pull dynamic.

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Freeland praises Mark Carney’s leadership as prime minister but criticizes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to drop the digital services tax and roll back counter-tariffs last year, arguing those steps weakened Canada’s bargaining position. She also recalls Trudeau’s plan to replace her as finance minister with Carney in a December 2024 Zoom call, a move she says signaled the administration’s willingness to concede to U.S. pressure.

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Canadian firms are seeking to assert independence from U.S. dominance. Michal Strnad, a Czech arms tycoon expanding into space via a Canadian company, argues, “If we want to be a global defense and technology group, we have to be in space.” “If we want to be a global defense and technology group, we have to be in space,” — Michal Strnad CEO Avery Pennarun adds, “It started to become a real advantage to emphasize that you’re a Canadian company.” “It started to become a real advantage to emphasize that you’re a Canadian company,” — CEO Avery Pennarun University of Toronto president Melanie Woodin highlights the role of academic freedom in attracting talent, noting, “Our ability to compete for the best — whether it be graduate students or professors — our ability is elevated right now because of the commitment around academic freedom,” — Melanie Woodin

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Freeland calls on Canada and other partners to adopt a firmer stance in future trade negotiations, warning that continued “soft-stick” tactics will only reinforce Trump’s belief that aggression yields results. No specific policy timetable has been announced.

Bloomberg