Ukraine’s President was not the only political leader to exchange words with the U.S. President on Friday.
Just hours before the heated Oval Office argument heard around the world between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, there was also a noteworthy media interchange between Trump and Canadian Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre – a prime ministerial hopeful.
In fact, until the Trump-Zelenskyy fireworks erupted, it was Trump and Poilievre trading words that was shaping up to be the story of the day.
I loved the Trump-Zelenskyy tussle – two perspectives and robust debate in front of the world’s cameras is perfect – but I loved the less fiery exchange between Trump and Poilievre, too.
It stemmed from an interview Trump did with The Spectator magazine’s Ben Domenech who brought up Canada, which has been in a tizzy about the 25% tariff talk, how Trump calls Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “governor” and the endless trolling of Canada becoming America’s 51st state.
“The Conservatives obviously have taken a hit in the polls since some of the comments that you’ve made that the Liberals have leaned into,” Domenech said. “Do you think that they’re still going to be able to pull it out up there?”
Trump: “Well, I think his (Poilievre) biggest problem is he’s not a MAGA guy, you know? I mean, he’s really not, he’s not a Trump guy at all.”
Domenech: “He’s more of a throwback Republican?”
Trump: “He’s … different. Make it a big mistake. They all make that mistake. You know. They think they’re going to be the tough guy and they’re going to knock out Trump, and they end up getting the hell beat out of ’em. So I don’t know. I mean, I can’t tell you, Pierre. I just don’t know.”
Trump continued: “I don’t like what he’s saying about me. It’s just not positive about me. And we’ve done a great job. We got elected when I would say the odds were pretty much against.”
I reached out to Poilievre’s camp because I don’t remember him ever saying anything negative about Trump personally.
Poilievre has talked about matching tariffs and pushed back on any talk about messing with Canada’s sovereignty, but he has never been rude or disparaging toward the President himself as far as anything I have seen or read.
And the Conservative Leader went to his X account to clarify the matter once and for all.
“Mr. President, it is true. I am not MAGA,” Poilievre posted to X. “I am for Canada First. Always. Canada has always been America’s best friend and ally. But we will NEVER be the 51st state.”
Poilievre has been crystal clear on these points.
And he said in his Canada First speech on Feb. 15 that with tariffs “your consumers pay more, and your workers make less. Gas prices skyrocket. You turn a loyal friend into a resentful neighbour, forced to match tariff with tariff and to seek friends everywhere else. Both our countries’ economies will weaken, leaving less money for defence and security. And our enemies will grow stronger.”
Or “we trade even more” and “our workers make more” and “strengthen the border and up our military spending to 2% of GDP; we stop fentanyl, terrorists, supersonic missiles and other threats” and “both our countries end up safer, stronger, richer.”
As of deadline, Trump had not responded further, but he was pretty busy with Zelenskyy.
However, Poilievre’s response to the President’s comments about him show how you handle this kind of thing. You don’t belittle fellow world leaders, be rude or talk over them if you get into the Oval Office. You just answer with a clear, concise and respectful message.
“We know America is the biggest economic and military superpower the world has ever known,” Poilievre said in his Feb. 15 speech. “We have been a good neighbour. We fought on the same side of the same wars. We paid with Canadian lives and treasure to fight for America, avenging the 9/11 attacks.”
“You have your grievances, and we have ours,” the Conservative Leader added. “But I ask, which other country would you rather have as your neighbour? If Canada is not your friend, who is?”
It’s certainly better than saying if you put a tariff on us, we won’t exist as a country.
The entitled permanent government class seem go crazy worrying about Trump, but the truth is he’s the best president to work with in that he is transparent and tells you what he thinks and wants.
You know where you stand with Trump – and now Poilievre has made it clear to the President where he stands.