Canada Strikes Back Against Trump with New United Front

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Canada Strikes Back Against Trump with New United Front"

Episode Date: July 22, 2026

Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the escalating trade war between the United States, under President Donald Trump, and Canada. The Meiselas brothers break down how Canada has mounted an unexpectedly fierce and unified response to Trump’s new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods—especially hockey sticks. The show features a barrage of statements from Canadian leaders spanning the political spectrum, all adopting a defiant, sometimes combative tone. The brothers focus on the unprecedented national unity in Canada, not only between left-wing and right-wing leaders but also across federal and provincial lines, highlighting a “Team Canada” mentality in the face of U.S. economic aggression.

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Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Canada’s National Unity Against U.S. Tariffs

[00:31–04:50]

• Canada’s response to Trump’s 50% tariffs is described as a “checkmate.” The premiers of British Columbia (David Eby, NDP) and Ontario (Doug Ford, Conservative), as well as Prime Minister Carney, have spoken with “one unified voice.”
• Nationwide boycott of U.S. booze and calls for a broader boycott of American products and travel are underway.

“If you can’t be friends with Canada, then you almost certainly do not have a friend anywhere in the world.”
—David Eby (Premier of British Columbia), [02:02]

• Remarkable cross-party collaboration: Eby (left) and Ford (right), typically political opposites, agree on standing up to Trump. They portray him as a “bully” who must be confronted strongly.

“The one way to embolden a bully is to capitulate. And I don’t think we should embolden Mr. Trump, who clearly is a bully.”
—David Eby, [03:53]

“We need to stand up to the bully and we need to hit him tariff to tariff all the way across the board.”
—Doug Ford (Premier of Ontario), [04:20]

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2. The Booze Ban & Provincial Autonomy

[04:50–05:21]

• Ontario and B.C. premiers both refuse to lift bans on U.S. alcohol until American tariffs on steel—and other sectors—are dropped.

“There is not a chance in hell that US Alcohol is going back on the shelf in British Columbia and I'm proud of that and I know the British Columbians support that.”
—David Eby, [02:57]

“We have to negotiate through strength, not weakness. And we need to throw everything on the table.”
—Doug Ford, [05:02]

• Both leaders stress the need for a “Team Canada” approach, warning against letting any single province carry the brunt of retaliation.

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3. Strength, Pain, and Realpolitik

[06:10–08:18]

• Doug Ford vows to make the U.S. “feel the pain,” citing Canada’s power as a supplier of energy, potash, and oil.
• Both Ford and Eby acknowledge reciprocal harm but emphasize the necessity of sacrifice for the greater good.

“We are an energy powerhouse and we could dismantle the US if we wanted to. ... They need to feel the pain rather than us constantly feeling the pain.”
—Doug Ford, [06:43]

• Ford directly addresses the American people, differentiating between his opposition to tariffs and his feelings for Americans.

“I hate saying the American people because I love the American people and I know a lot of people down in the US don't agree with President Trump. … But if we get a deal, then people have certainty, they have production and jobs are created and if not, then people lose their jobs on both sides of the border. So this is critical.”
—Doug Ford, [07:33]

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4. Trump’s Tariffs: Desperation or Strategy?

[08:21–12:10]

• David Eby and the MeidasTouch hosts see Trump’s escalated tariffs as a desperate move.

“This feels like an increasingly desperate and flailing approach to relationships with our country.”
—David Eby, [08:51]

• Eby makes clear that Canada is not beholden to the United States and is willing to find and invest in alternative trade relationships.

“If the Americans don't want to talk and they want to impose tariffs like this, then all of our energy should be going to other places.”
—David Eby, [11:20]

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5. Responding to Trump’s Claims of Canadian Dependence

[12:10–12:57]

• Trump: “They [Canada] need us to survive. Without us, there's no way they can survive.”

—Donald Trump, [12:21]

• Eby counters this, arguing that Canada’s commodities are more desirable globally than ever, and that a “bad deal” is worse than none at all.

“No deal is better than a bad deal with the Americans.”
—David Eby, [12:57]

• Canada’s value to the world is heightened by the current U.S. administration’s actions.

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6. Federal-Provincial Dynamics & Decision Making

[14:23–15:21]

• Eby confirms that the federal government has not pressured B.C. to lift the booze ban.
• Prime Minister Carney emphasizes provincial sovereignty in such decisions.

“The idea that after facing yet another attack on our economy from the president, that this would be the moment to capitulate, I think would be the wrong approach.”
—David Eby, [14:47]

“The decision to change that, first and foremost will be taken by the provinces themselves, each individually, and should only be taken, in my judgment, as part of an overall agreement, and that's what we'll work to accomplish.”
—Prime Minister Carney, [15:21]

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7. No Fake Deals: Canada Wants a Comprehensive Solution

[16:11–18:47]

• Carney rejects the idea of “partial” or “fake” deals. Canada wants a comprehensive agreement covering all major sectors.

“We don't want a partial agreement, we want something that addresses those sectors as well. So that is a viable approach going forward in our view…”
—Prime Minister Carney, [16:34]

• Warns that if the new tariffs are enacted, “all options” are on the table for Canadian retaliation.

“We will look at all options in terms of how we would respond if they do come into effect. ... When I say we will, we will do whatever it takes and keep all options.”
—Prime Minister Carney, [17:54]

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8. Canada’s Ongoing Negotiation and Retaliation Readiness

[18:47–20:20]

• Carney details that Canada has put forward multiple constructive proposals and will continue seeking fair modernization of the trilateral agreement (CUSMA).

“We have made a series of comprehensive and detailed programs, proposals about how to modernize Kuzma. ... As always, Canadians, governments, business, labor will stand together to build Canada strong and to have a trading relationship with our North American partners that benefits everyone.”
—Prime Minister Carney, [19:39]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• David Eby:
  “There is not a chance in hell that US Alcohol is going back on the shelf in British Columbia.” [02:57]
  “No deal is better than a bad deal with the Americans.” [12:57]

• Doug Ford:
  “I'm tired of the bully trying to take our lunch money all the time.” [04:20]
  “We are an energy powerhouse and we could dismantle the US if we wanted to.” [06:43]

• Prime Minister Carney:
  “The decision to change that (booze ban), first and foremost will be taken by the provinces themselves.” [15:21]
  “We don't want a partial agreement, we want something that addresses those sectors.” [16:34]
  “We will look at all options in terms of how we would respond if they (tariffs) do come into effect.” [17:54]

• Donald Trump:
  “They need us to survive. Without us, there's no way they can survive.” [12:21]

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Conclusion and Takeaway

This episode paints a picture of an emboldened, unified Canada standing up against U.S. economic aggression. The hosts emphasize Canada’s leverage, resilience, and refusal to capitulate, bolstered by provincial and federal solidarity across party lines. The resounding message: Canada will not be bullied—expect retaliation, expect unity, and do not expect them to blink first.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Host]

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[David Eby]

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[David Eby]

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[David Eby]

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[Narrator/Host]

Learn your lesson. Donald never provoke Canada Canada is furious and it is responding in such a powerful way to Donald Trump's latest tariff threats. Where Donald Trump has stated he will tariff Canada 50% against Canadian hockey sticks and other items, Canada is now checkmating Donald Trump and in such a unified way. You have the Premier of British Columbia, DAV EB of the NDP Party, you have the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford of the Conservative Party and at the federal level, Prime Minister Carney all responding with one unified voice. Canada will not back down. And if Donald Trump does not taco at the end of this 30 day deadline that he's given Canada, Canada will also respond with force. Canada is not going to stop banning U.S. booze. The Canadian people are not going to boycotting United states travel and U.S. products. Canada is standing strong and that was the message in a united way that the premiers and Prime Minister Carney conveyed. For example, David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia, said, you know what, I feel bad for Americans because if you can't be friends with Canada, then you don't have any friends anywhere at all. Watch this.

[David Eby]

I feel sorry for Americans. If you can't be friends with Canada, then you almost certainly do not have a friend anywhere in the world. And that is a very lonely place to be.

[Narrator/Host]

More from Premier EB right here. And he says, you think, Donald, that you can bully us into submission, you are very much mistaken. The idea that you think you will huff and puff and Canada will submit. Canada will never submit.

[David Eby]

Donald, play this clip and the idea of the president that he can bully us into whatever he wishes is incorrect. We're strong. We are, despite our many debates, united as a country. And we will continue to stand strong and we will build relationships with those countries at the national level, at the provincial level that want to have a relationship with us.

[Narrator/Host]

More from David Eby right here. Let's play it.

[David Eby]

There is not a chance in hell that US Alcohol is going back on the shelf in British Columbia and I'm proud of that and I know the British Columbians support that.

[Narrator/Host]

And then the Premier of British Columbia. David Eby says, you know what? Doug Ford, the right wing conservative premier of Ontario, he and I, we may disagree on a lot of things. I mean, you have EB the more far left NDP party then you have Forbes, kind of a far, our right guy who used to be Maple Maga, by the way, until Donald Trump, you know, tried to take over Canada. And then even Doug Ford stood up to Donald Trump lately. He goes, but Doug Ford and I are united. We have a similar mind on this issue. You cannot embolden the bully. You need to punch the bully in the face. You need to punch the bully in the face and you need to knock the bully out. Here, play this clip.

[David Eby]

I think Doug and I are of a, of a similar mind on this issue. Um, the, the one way to embolden a bully is to capitulate. And, and I don't think we should embolden Mr. Trump, who clearly is a bully.

[Narrator/Host]

And we heard from Premier Ford of Ontario who said we need to go on the offense, not constantly be on the defense. We always need to stand up to the bully. We need to hit him back and hit him back hard. Play this clip.

[Doug Ford]

If these Talks fail in 29 days, we need to hit him back as hard as we can. I'm tired of the bully trying to take our lunch money all the time. We always seem to be on our back heels. We need to be on the offense, not constantly on the defense. With President Trump, we need to stand up to the bully and we need to hit him tariff to tariff all the way across the board. And that's my message to the Prime Minister. We need a plan moving forward.

[Narrator/Host]

And of course we will not lift the booze band. Doug Ford says, let's play this clip. Sounds to me like the booze band

[Prime Minister Carney]

is not going to get lifted by

[Narrator/Host]

Ontario without the tariffs being lifted on steel.

[Doug Ford]

That is correct. 100%. Again, we have to negotiate through strength, not weakness. And we need to throw everything on the table. But I want to emphasize one more time, it can't always be Ontario. It has to be a Team Canada approach. And that's my message to my great friends, my premier friends, that we have to be united. As I always say, united we stand, divided we fall. Okay, just who's not carrying their weight? It just seems like Ontario is always out there. No matter if it's electricity or if it's alcohol or anything else. In manufacturing, Ontario is getting hurt the most in these tariffs right across. No, it's not because of the alcohol ban. This, this is a Broader issue of tariffs right across the board. You know, he wants to continue threatening and he's nothing but a bully. That's all he is. And you have to stand up to the bullies in the schoolyard or they end up taking your lunch money. And we are going to continue, we are going to continue fighting like we've never fought before.

[Narrator/Host]

And Doug Voord says we are an energy powerhouse. We could dismantle the United States if we wanted. And yes, the Canadian people will feel pain in this, of course, but we should be united. We are ready to sacrifice and we should make the United States squirm. Watch what Ford has to say. Let's play.

[Doug Ford]

I'm sorry. You go ahead. Yes.

[David Eby]

What is the economic impact? The hit to Ontario, should this come

[Narrator/Host]

into effect in 29 days? Have you quantified that?

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Can you.

[Doug Ford]

Can you what? I understand it's 28 billion across the country. Majority is going to be here in Ontario. That's why we can't roll over. We have to hit back. We have to rather than be on our back heel. As I said, we have to go forward, take the offense. We are an energy powerhouse and we could dismantle the US if we wanted to. If we all work together. No matter if it's the electricity and I'm not speaking for the other provinces, I'm going to be very clear. The potash, the oil where their number one customer in the world. They need to feel the pain rather than us constantly feeling the pain.

[Narrator/Host]

More from Ford over here. Trump thinks he can bully us, make us roll over. We ain't going to back down. We ain't going to back down. Play this clip.

[Doug Ford]

If he continues to constantly bully us, we can't keep rolling over. We can't keep backing down. We have to go full tilt. We are an energy power. We have to utilize every tool we have in the toolbox and make sure he feels the pain. And I hate saying the American people because I love the American people and I know a lot of people down in the US don't agree with President Trump. We need to get a deal. We need to create more jobs. You know, right now investment is sold in both countries. But if we get a deal, then people have certainty, they have production and jobs are created and if not, then people lose their jobs on both sides of the border. So this is critical.

[Narrator/Host]

More from EB over here. Let's play it.

[David Eby]

This attempt by the president to hurt Canadians to for some reason attack our country was entirely predictable. He will probably do it again and there's no reason to believe that this is the bottom in terms of where he's willing to go.

[Narrator/Host]

And then EB says obviously the news of the day Donald Trump levying more tariffs. But to me it just comes from the fact that he's desperate, he's failing, and he's flailing. Play this clip.

[David Eby]

Obviously the news of the day is the President's recent decision to levy more tariffs on Canada for reasons known only to him. I'll say that this feels like an increasingly desperate and flailing approach to relationships with our country.

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[Narrator/Host]

EDB's clear. He's like look, we understand the U.S. is a huge market for us. It's not something that Canada can just replace right away. I mean, it's not impossible, but it's difficult for us to replace. But at the end of the day, if they don't Like Canadians, if they want to constantly harass us. Bye, bye, see you later. We're not begging you. We're not submitting. We're not doing any of that. Here, play this clip.

[David Eby]

I'm not sure how the federal government reaches an agreement with an administration that, as far as I can tell, isn't talking to them. I don't see that the Americans have been engaging with Canada in trade conversations in any meaningful way, whole way. And, and so if the Americans come to the table to have a true discussion, I think that the federal government should absolutely be there. The Prime Minister and his team should be there. But, but if the Americans don't want to talk and they want to impose tariffs like this, then all of our energy should be going to other places. The United States is a huge market that is impossible for Canada to replace. But at the end of the day, if they don't want Canadian goods, if they don't like Canada, there's not a lot we can do about that. So let's focus our energy on the places that are really excited to trade with us and build up and take this generational opportunity so that our kids are not put in the same situation of being too dependent on the United States.

[Narrator/Host]

You know, and it's notable because earlier in the day, Donald Trump was like, oh, Canada needs us for survival. Canada's like, no, we don't f you Here, play this clip of Donald, their

[David Eby]

leadership, from Trudeau to the current leadership. I mean, in all fairness to them, they need us to survive. Without us, there's no way they can survive. So. But they've been very, very tough over a period of the last 50 years, actually, by the way, when I show

[Narrator/Host]

you, this reminds me of wtf America pre order it right now. The book I wrote with my brothers. Make sure you hit the QR code and you can pre order. It certainly helps if you pre order it, by the way. So if you're able to pre order, I dedicated it to you also. More from EB Right here. Let's play it.

[David Eby]

The approach of the US Administration has been predictable in a sense that they are continually trying to find ways, creative ways to try to attack Canada's economy. There's no question about that. The Canadian strength has that. We have been very clear. Prime Minister has been very clear. He's had my full support in this, that no deal is better than a bad deal with the Americans. We should not, out of a sense of desperation or anxiety or what's going to come next, bow down to this President's attempt to put pressure on Canadians. We need to recognize that what we have here in this country has value. It has more value now around the world than it has ever had. And that is because of the actions of the president, both at home and in his adventures overseas. That has been very clear to me in my trade missions consistently. And so as Canadians, what we have has value. The world wants it. As British Columbians, what we have has value. We need to be confident in that. And it has value to the Americans. And the list of exemptions that the president has drawn up shows that very clearly. So we have leverage here. We don't need to jump into anything that would be a bad deal for Canadians. And we need to hold out to make sure that we're protecting those sectors, like Softwood in British Columbia, like Otto in Ontario, to support Canadian families from coast to coast.

[Narrator/Host]

More from EB Right here. When he's asked, has the federal government asked you to put the. To put US Alcohol back on the shelves? Are you being pressured by Carney? And he's like, no, not at all. Play this clip.

[David Eby]

Has the federal government asked you to put us. No, they have not.

[Narrator/Host]

Concerned that that's going to be an ask this week.

[David Eby]

I am not concerned.

[Narrator/Host]

And if they do ask, what are

[Prime Minister Carney]

you going to say?

[David Eby]

I will be happy to engage in conversations with my colleagues across the country and the prime minister on the issue of US Alcohol on the shelf. But the idea that after facing yet another attack on our economy from the president, that this would be the moment to capitulate, I think would be the wrong approach.

[Narrator/Host]

Prime Minister Carney makes it very clear, I don't make any decision about US Booze on the shelves of the various provinces. That's handled at the provincial level. I ain't dealing with that. Play this clip.

[David Eby]

Should the provinces put booze back on the shelves? Will that help with these negotiations?

[Prime Minister Carney]

It's part of a the the provinces individually took those decisions in response to a series of tariffs that were put in place and also threats, threats to our sovereignty. Those measures have been supported by provincial citizens and they're supported. And it's indicative in terms of other consumption habits, if I can put it that way, of Canadians, where Canadians have traveled, other things that are on the shelves but aren't being purchased. The decision to change that, first and foremost will be taken by the provinces themselves, each individually, and should only be taken, in my judgment, as part of an overall agreement, and that's what we'll work to accomplish.

[Narrator/Host]

More from Carney over here, who says, I'M not looking to do fake deals with Donald Trump. Canada's not looking to do partial deals. We either do a deal or we don't do a deal. But we're not going to do these fake deals. Let's play this clip.

[David Eby]

You recently made concessions in regards to the Gordie Howe bridge. You've rolled back the Digital Services act, the online Streaming Act. Are you going to make more concessions in order to get the Americans to the table?

[Prime Minister Carney]

We, well, we're at the table. We'll be having those more intense discussions. And you know what the issue has been for us has been a comprehensive agreement. We understand the US Approach to strategic sectors, what they call strategic sectors. They are strategic sectors. But under their definition, 232 definitions, that's aluminum, that's forest products, that's steel, that's automobiles, pharmaceuticals, copper, others. But those first four being the most important for the Canadian economy and that we don't want a partial agreement, we want something that addresses those sectors as well. So that is a viable approach going forward in our view and the view of Madame Scheinbaum and the Mexican authorities. There are solutions that evolve, Kuzma, so that those sectors are globally competitive to the benefit of workers. Of course, we're working for workers in Canada first and foremost, but also workers across the other two economies.

[Narrator/Host]

Prime Minister Carney then says look, if those American tariffs, Those so called 338 tariffs on our hockey sticks and other stuff, they come into effect, we will consider all options and we will respond. And by all options, I mean all options. Play this clip.

[Prime Minister Carney]

Look, we have a situation where these, the American tariffs, the 338 tariffs will come into effect in 29 days

[Doug Ford]

and

[Prime Minister Carney]

we will look at all options in terms of how we would respond if they do come into effect. That's part of what we'll be discussing with premiers also in parallel, as I just said that I'd spoken with the president, we agree to intensify discussions. We'll begin that right away. And this is part of the negotiation. So the first objective is to get a comprehensive agreement that benefits obviously both countries. That's consistent with as it is and Kuzma as it will be and we'll work towards that. But in parallel we, when I say we will, we will do whatever it takes and keep all options. Obviously it's a comprehensive point.

[Narrator/Host]

And more for Prime Minister Carney right here who says look, we've made proposals to Trump, we've made constructive, detailed Kusma proposals. The Canadian U.S. mexico Agreement, they want to Read it. We're trying to reach compromises that are fair deals. We give a little bit. You know, there's we, we, we reach in the middle. We try to figure out solutions. We've done our due diligence. If they just want to whine and behave like babies, go do it. Whine and behave like babies, but keep your wine out of Canada, keep your booze out of Canada, and we'll keep our tourists out of the United States. And so when you want to talk about no tax on tips and all of these things, guess what? Those hospitality workers who may get no tax on tips, they don't have jobs right now because of you. You've destroyed the hospitality industry. Donald, listen to what Carney says.

[David Eby]

Let's play it.

[Prime Minister Carney]

Throughout this time, we have made a series of comprehensive and detailed programs, proposals about how to modernize Kuzma. Recognizing the transition that the US Is underway in the international and all Australian relationships, including with Canada and Mexico. I spoke with President Trump earlier this morning. We agreed to intensify negotiations in the coming weeks and the team and myself look forward to doing that. As always, Canadians, governments, business, labor will stand together to build Canada strong and to have a trading relationship with our North American partners that benefits everyone.

[Narrator/Host]

There you have it, everybody. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks for watching, everybody.

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