U.S. tariffs imposed on Canadian steel in 2025 triggered sharp declines in the domestic industry by 2026. The federal government responded with a $100 million shipping rebate. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre continued to focus attacks on the Liberal government rather than the trade shock. The cartoon argues this stance amounts to a repeated distraction from the core economic damage.
On January 16 2026 Canada and China signed a significant trade agreement covering electric vehicles and canola exports. The deal comes amid ongoing US tariff pressures and efforts by Canada to diversify its economic partnerships. Mark Carney represented Canadian interests in the signing with Xi Jinping. Donald Trump is shown questioning the arrangement directly.
The cartoon shows Canada as a beaver facing a game show choice between monstrous figures representing the USA under Trump and China under Xi. A newspaper references Mark Carney in China amid ongoing trade tensions and protectionism.
