Jamil Jivani, the conservative member of Parliament for Bowmanville-Oshawa, told Sirius XM’s Breitbart News Saturday that Canadian officials are damaging the country with what he calls an “anti-American hissy fit” on trade. The following piece looks at why that comment matters, what it reveals about political signals from Ottawa, and why a practical, pro-growth approach to U.S. relations should trump symbolic posturing. It argues that trade policy needs to be anchored in economic commonsense rather than political theater.
When a sitting MP uses blunt language on a cross-border broadcast, it is more than rhetoric; it signals frustration with leadership choices. Jivani’s critique lands because it comes from the conservative flank and because it’s aired on a platform with a clear voice on North American policy. Conservatives tend to favor stable, rules-based trade and swift dispute resolution, not headline-grabbing spats that rattle markets and cost jobs.
Canada and the United States share the world’s largest trading relationship and daily cooperation that touches millions of lives. When Ottawa indulges in tit-for-tat gestures, businesses that rely on integrated supply chains pay the price. The sensible Republican stance is to push for policies that protect workers and industries while keeping borders predictable and open to commerce.
Political theater looks good on the evening news but it rarely helps families paying higher prices at the pump or farmers trying to move perishable goods across a bridge. Jivani’s use of the phrase “anti-American hissy fit” captures the tone many business owners see from a distance—performative and counterproductive. Conservatives argue that negotiating from a position of strength requires calm, clear objectives rather than reflexive grandstanding.
Practical conservatives want clear rules, faster dispute resolution, and reciprocity when foreign measures threaten Canadian competitiveness. That is different from reflexive posturing that aims for domestic applause instead of durable wins. If Ottawa is serious about defending Canadian jobs, it will prioritize solutions that keep supply chains humming and tariffs minimal.
There is also a political angle: voters notice when leaders choose symbolism over solutions. When officials stage confrontations that accomplish little, public trust erodes and political volatility grows. A Republican viewpoint emphasizes accountability—leaders must explain how their actions produce tangible economic benefits rather than photo ops.
Trade disagreements with the United States will happen; they are inevitable between neighbors with different priorities and politics. But how those disputes are managed matters. Conservatives typically back diplomacy backed by leverage and litigation where needed, not headline-chasing attacks that sour a relationship essential to prosperity on both sides of the border.
It’s worth remembering that everyday Canadians benefit from a functioning North American economy: workers, small businesses, and exporters rely on the predictability that comes from cooperation. Conservative voices like Jivani’s push for policies that secure that predictability while defending national interests. That balance requires steady leadership, not reactive outrage.
Moving forward, Ottawa should adopt a strategy that combines clear protection for vital industries with an open stance on commerce that promotes growth. Lawmakers ought to prioritize enforcement of trade rules and swift negotiation over theatrical denunciations. When politicians put short-term theatrics ahead of long-term prosperity, citizens and markets both lose out.
At the end of the day, the question is simple: do leaders want headlines or solutions? Jivani’s sharp wording on Sirius XM is a reminder that many conservatives favor the latter—practical, results-driven actions that keep Canada competitive and its relationship with the United States productive.
Graduate Student, wife, engaged political and legal writer.