Canada is attempting to interfere in American trade policy with a bold new billboard campaign targeting Republican-voting states. This foreign influence operation aims to sway American opinions about President Trump’s protective tariff policies just as elections approach. Do they think this is going to make Trump want to ease economic pressure on them? Because it won’t…
At a glance:
• Canada launched anti-tariff billboards in 12 mostly Republican states and Washington, D.C.
• Billboards claim “Tariffs are a tax on your grocery bill” and “Tariffs are a tax at the gas pump”
• Campaign is a direct response to President Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian imports set to begin April 2
• Canadian Minister Melanie Joly describes it as an “education campaign” aimed at Americans
• Republican lawmakers dismiss the foreign influence attempt as ineffective with their constituents
Foreign Influence Operation Targets American Voters
The Canadian government has launched a controversial billboard campaign targeting 12 predominantly Republican states ahead of the U.S. election season. The billboards feature messages like “Tariffs are a tax on your grocery bill” and “Tariffs are a tax at the gas pump,” attempting to turn American voters against President Trump’s America First trade policies.
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly openly admitted the campaign aims to influence American public opinion, saying: “We are launching ads in the US to make sure all Americans know that tariffs are taxes on everything they buy.” The foreign influence operation comes just as President Trump’s protective 25% tariffs on Canadian goods are set to take effect on April 2.
Republican Lawmakers Dismiss Foreign Influence Attempt
Republican lawmakers are pushing back against Canada’s attempt to meddle in American policy decisions. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) dismissed the billboard campaign, stating: “Canada is free to spend their taxpayer dollars in whatever interesting ways they see fit, but I don’t think billboards will influence the thinking of the hardworking dairy farmers of my district.”
The billboards have been strategically placed in crucial swing states including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Canadian officials have refused to disclose how much taxpayer money they’ve spent on this influence campaign targeting American voters.
The campaign has already shown signs of incompetence, with some billboards featuring French text in areas where French is not commonly spoken. This foreign meddling comes as Canada prepares its own retaliatory tariffs against American products, showing they’re willing to escalate trade tensions while simultaneously claiming tariffs hurt consumers.
America First Policies Under Attack
President Trump’s tariff policies are designed to protect American workers and industries from unfair foreign competition. Economists note that American consumers can easily find domestic substitutes for Canadian imports, weakening the central argument of Canada’s propaganda campaign.
John Babcock, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, admitted the campaign’s true purpose, saying: “Ottawa launched the campaign to inform Americans of the economic impacts of tariffs.” The timing of this foreign influence operation just months before a presidential election raises serious questions about interference in America’s democratic process.
Some Americans have found humor in Canada’s desperate attempt to influence U.S. policy, with Floridian Kelly Kervin commenting: “Hell hath no petty like the Canadians.” The billboard campaign represents an unprecedented effort by a foreign government to directly appeal to American voters against their own president’s trade policies.
