Canada election: Campaigns brace for Trump’s sweeping ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs

‘Let’s defend Canadian interests — all of them’

D.C. insiders who would typically have an ear to the ground are telling Canadian industry leaders they aren’t sure what will happen at 4 p.m. ET when Trump makes his tariffs announcement.

That’s according to Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’​ Association.

“This is a bit of education guesswork,” said Volpe,

He said the duties announced today could include a broad 20 per cent retaliatory tariff, or they might target specific countries — and some countries might get off easier than others.

But Volpe stressed that “when those things go through, people will lose jobs. Regular people who don’t have a voice in Washington or in Ottawa are going to lose their jobs.”

Volpe and other Canadian industry leaders will meet with the prime minister today during a virtual meeting of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.

“We usually talk through scenarios,” he said.

“There is unanimity at that table. I think everybody’s [first priority] is let’s defend Canadian interests — all of them.”