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CEO of Top Canadian Company Takes Trump's Side in Tariff War, Slams Trudeau

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Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke slammed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for not acquiescing to President Donald Trump’s reasonable demands in order to avoid a trade war with the U.S.

On Saturday, Trump announced 25 percent tariffs on most Canadian imports, with the exception of energy resources, which will be taxed at a 10 percent level.

Trudeau responded that same day with a pledge to impose tariffs on an extensive list of U.S. imports.

Lutke lamented the decision from both countries.

Shopify — based in Ottawa, Canada — is the nation’s largest tech company and second largest publicly traded entity, with a net worth of about $150 billion, according to the New York Post.

“Canada thrives when it works with America together. Win by helping America win. Trump believes that Canada has not held its side of the bargain, and he set terms to prove that we still work together: get the borders under control and crack down on fentanyl dens,” Lutke posted Saturday on X. He is among Canada’s wealthiest citizens.

“These are things that every Canadian wants its government to do, too. These are not crazy demands, even if they came from an unpopular source,” the CEO added.

“These tariffs are going to be devastating to so many people’s lives and small businesses,” Lutke said. “Action has to be judged based on what it leads to, not how good it sounds or feels. Leadership is about doing what’s right, not what is popular. And hitting back will not lead to anything good. America will shrug it off. Canada will decline.”

Do you support Trump’s tariffs?

“It’s simply the wrong choice in a possibility space where much better options would have been available,” the post concluded.

The business leader included a video of Trudeau announcing 25 percent tariffs on what he said would be $155 billion in American goods.

Trump told reporters Sunday night that he was not concerned about Canada’s decision to impose retaliatory tariffs.

“They don’t allow our farm products in, essentially. They don’t allow a lot of things in, and we allow everything to come in. It’s been a one-way street. We subsidize Canada by the tune of about $200 billion a year, and for what? What do we get out of it?” he asked.

Related:
European Union Threatens Trump Over Tariffs: 'Will Not Go Unanswered'

“Something’s going to happen there,” Trump said. “But if they want to play the game, I don’t mind. We can play the game all they want.”

The Post reported, “The tariffs are poised to hit Canada especially hard because roughly 75 percent of its exports go to the U.S. while only about 13 percent of American exports go to Canada.”

Trump told reporters on Monday at the White House, “We don’t need [Canada] to build our cars. I’d rather see Detroit or South Carolina or Tennessee, any one of our states build the cars. They could do it very easily.”

“We don’t need them for anything,” he added.

Trump once again suggested that Canada become the 51st state, if it wants to avoid tariffs.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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