Unelected prime minister erases trade measures in secret, hides decision from public during election

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Canada’s counter-tariffs are gone, but few knew it happened. Prime Minister Mark Carney quietly repealed most retaliatory trade measures, erasing them without public announcement and delaying their publication in the Canada Gazette for nearly a month. The timing raises serious questions about transparency, as the move came during an election period, leaving voters unaware of the shift in trade policy.

Carney’s government had talked tough on tariffs, vowing to push back against Donald Trump’s sweeping trade restrictions. Yet, behind closed doors, the prime minister eliminated most counter-tariffs on American imports, effectively nullifying Canada’s response to U.S. trade aggression. The decision was made on April 16, but the public only learned about it weeks later, when the policy was quietly published on May 7.

The repeal followed Carney’s meeting with Trump, where the two leaders were photographed smiling and giving a thumbs-up in the Oval Office. The timing suggests that Carney may have informed Trump of the decision before Canadians even knew.

Oxford Economics, a global advisory firm, analyzed the policy shift and found that most tariffs were either eliminated or suspended, meaning that Canada’s trade protections are effectively gone. The firm’s director of Canadian economics, Tony Stillo, described the move as “a strategic play” to avoid economic damage, but critics argue that Carney misled voters by campaigning on strong countermeasures while secretly dismantling them.

The lack of transparency is alarming. The Canada Gazette, the official record of government decisions, delayed publication of the repeal, ensuring that the policy remained hidden from public scrutiny during the election. The delay raises concerns about whether Carney’s government intentionally withheld the information to avoid backlash.

Carney’s actions have sparked outrage among trade analysts and political opponents. Many argue that an unelected prime minister, governing without a seat in a prorogued parliament, should not have the authority to erase major trade policies without public debate. The move has left Canadian industries exposed, with businesses now facing unrestricted competition from American imports.

The fallout from Carney’s tariff repeal is just beginning. As details emerge, Canadians are questioning whether their government is truly acting in their best interest or simply bowing to U.S. pressure behind closed doors.

Sources:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carney-hits-back-trump-1.7500990

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/lilley-carney-dropped-most-tariffs-202411748.html

https://www.bakertilly.ca/en/btc/publications/taxalert-springing-into-action-to-counter-tariff-impacts