How Canada and US Are Targeting Each Other’s Domestic Politics Through Tariffs and Messaging

While announcing Canada’s counter-tariffs against the United States on Aug. 25, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said they are “proportionate, targeted, and strategic.” Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly was less guarded with her remarks, saying Canada’s dollar-for-dollar tariffs are in part targeting U.S. states, and are meant to put “political pressure” on the White House to remove its tariffs on Canada. American officials, meanwhile, are suggesting some of Ottawa’s posturing is about domestic politics, with U.S. President Donald Trump accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of attempting to “gain political support” with his remarks saying Washington is targeting Canada’s French-language protection requirements....