Prominent voices recommend that the Canadian government should consider sanctioning or banning corporations funded by Trump associates, especially those controlled by Elon Musk, due to mounting tensions between countries under Donald Trump’s presidency.
Lloyd Axworthy, who previously served as Foreign Affairs Minister, has expressed worries about how X (Twitter at that time) might interfere with Canadian democratic processes under Musk’s control. Axworthy specifies that the actions of Elon Musk and digital supervisors could duplicate the consequences that led to X platform limitations in Brazil and Europe through alleged far-right content promotion.
The political connections between Musk and Trump that involved $200 million in fundraising and provocative actions have increased public attention on his activities. The backing he provides to extremist political parties operating in Germany and the UK remains a source of concern. Some high-level Canadian political officials anticipate Musk’s business presence may reach Canadian borders, which they fear could undermine important democratic values.
The disagreement continues to intensify because of economic factors in addition to political considerations. The proposed 25% import tariffs by Trump generated requests for retaliatory responses from Canada. The Canadian leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland proposed hitting Tesla cars with 100% tariffs, yet Emmett Macfarlane from the University of Waterloo seeks to completely ban Tesla vehicles along with X and Starlink services. He proposes that Canada ought to follow similar policies used for Russian oligarchs by imposing economic penalties against Musk’s businesses.
The author supports a strategic approach that recommends that Ottawa should deploy economic sanctions and diplomatic responses. During an interview, Joe Clark stressed that the U.S. has transformed into a hostile neighboring power, which demands Canadian sovereignty to defend itself.
From an escalating perspective of threats to both democracy and economic sovereignty, Canada must decide whether direct confrontation with Musk represents its best option or whether it requires different defensive approaches.