An infamous Canadian politician has put Wisconsin’s dairy industry in the crosshairs.
Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has been publicly targeting Wisconsin’s dairy industry as a vital component of President Donald Trump’s political base, suggesting Canada might punish Wisconsin in potential retribution for trade tariffs.
This week, during an appearance on CNN, she vowed to “go after” Wisconsin dairy farmers. “We know how important they are for the President. And we’re not going to let them sell their products in Canada anymore,” she said.
When asked on the social media platform X if he had seen her comments, Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden replied:
“Yup. We don’t want a fight, but if we have one: We will Win”
Freeland, who is running to be the next leader of the Liberal Party and prime minister of Canada, said that if forced, the nation will “inflict the biggest trade blow that the United States has ever endured.
She has a history of controversial actions, notably her role in invoking the Emergencies Act during the 2022 trucker protests in Canada, where she supported measures to freeze protesters’ bank accounts. This move was both praised for its effectiveness in quelling the protests and criticized for its implications on civil liberties.
Freeland’s latest statements come amidst ongoing discussions about trade, especially concerning Canada’s supply management system, which protects its dairy industry but has been a point of contention with U.S. producers, particularly in states like Wisconsin, known for its dairy production.
