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Conservative leader makes case for lifting US tariffs on Rogan show
Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre used an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast to advocate for removing trade barriers between Canada and the United States, arguing the move would benefit both economies.
Tour aims to raise Poilievre's international profile
The episode, recorded during Poilievre's first official trip to the US, is part of a broader effort to boost his global visibility as he trails Prime Minister Mark Carney in domestic polls. The tour included stops in Detroit, Texas, and New York, where Poilievre met with business leaders and delivered a speech at the Foreign Policy Institute.
Free trade and energy dominate discussion
Poilievre opened the conversation by gifting Rogan a Canadian-made kettlebell, then pivoted to trade policy. He argued that eliminating tariffs on Canadian lumber, aluminum, and energy would lower costs for American consumers while helping the US address rising oil prices.
"We should get the tariffs out because there's so much we could be doing together as neighbors and partners," Poilievre said. He added that Canada could increase oil production by two million barrels annually to support US energy needs.
When asked if he had directly lobbied President Donald Trump on the issue, Poilievre deferred to Carney, stating, "I believe in the rule of one prime minister at a time."
Assisted dying laws draw scrutiny
Rogan pressed Poilievre on Canada's assisted dying legislation, criticizing its scope as overly broad. Poilievre acknowledged his party's concerns about expanding the law to include mental illness as a sole condition-a change the government has delayed until March 2027.
"My view is that people should have the choice,"
Poilievre said, while noting his party's reservations about the proposed expansion.
Business meetings and trade talks
In Detroit, Poilievre met with automotive executives, while in Texas, he toured facilities processing Canadian crude oil and discussed increasing exports. Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed openness to purchasing more Canadian products, according to Poilievre.
The trip coincides with upcoming negotiations for the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which faces a mandatory review this year. Poilievre's international outreach also includes recent visits to the UK and Germany, where he promoted closer ties among Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Clarifying past hesitation
Poilievre addressed his initial refusal to appear on Rogan's podcast last year, attributing it to scheduling conflicts during Canada's federal election. Rogan had previously described Poilievre's decision as stemming from concerns about the show's content, a claim Poilievre denied, calling Rogan "a great guy."
