In a compelling conversation with MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles addressed the far-reaching consequences of Donald Trump’s threats toward Canada, calling them both “crazy” and “an existential threat.” Trump’s bizarre antics—including posting a map showing the U.S. conquering Canada and referring to the nation as the “51st state”—have sparked growing alarm north of the border. This exclusive ad-free video is available here for Meidas+ Substack subscribers.
“It’s bananas. It’s crazy,” Stiles said about Trump’s rhetoric. “We’ve seen this kind of narcissism and bullying before, but that kind of bullying...we are taking it real seriously right now. We see this as an existential threat.” Stiles emphasized that Trump’s threats don’t just target leadership but “working people in our country, who rely on trade, who rely on those relationships.”
The NDP leader emphasized how Trump’s actions could destroy the trade relationship between Canada and the United States. Stiles explained, “We are obviously like the United States’ most important trade partner, but we also purchase a lot of American product. It’s like $5 billion worth of Canadian steel goes to the United States, and we actually import another almost $5 billion back. This is a really important trade relationship.”
Stiles issued a sharp warning about the fallout for Americans if Trump’s threats materialize: “The cost of pissing off Canadians is...going to cost Americans more to fill up your gas, to build your homes, to build your bridges. That’s going to be the impact.” She accused Trump of ignoring the harm his policies would inflict on working people. “For him, he’s just worrying about him and his billionaire buddies like Elon Musk...they’re going to make billions no matter what. But it’s working-class people who are already suffering...who are going to really actually pay the price for this kind of crap that he’s pulling.”
Stiles also addressed the rise of “maple MAGA,” pointing to Canadian conservatives like Doug Ford and Pierre Poilievre who, she said, mimic Trump’s agenda of dismantling beloved Canadian institutions like public healthcare and education. “What I have to say to Donald Trump is, you’re going to come after us, we’re going to fight you like hell.”
Public sentiment in Canada is shifting, Stiles noted, as Trump’s rhetoric becomes more threatening. “At the beginning, everybody was sort of thinking, okay, this guy...he just does crazy things,” she said. “But I think when you start to actually threaten our sovereignty as a nation...we are a distinct country. We have been an ally of the United States...but we are our own country. We are not interested in joining the United States.”
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