Tobi Lütke, CEO of Shopify and one of Canada’s most prominent tech leaders, has voiced his disappointment over the Trump administration’s decision to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods but called Trump’s demands “not crazy.”
In a candid statement on X, Lütke expressed concern about the potential impact on Canadian businesses and urged both governments to focus on collaboration rather than confrontation.
“I’m disappointed that the Trump administration placed the 25 percent tariffs,” Lütke said. “I’m also disappointed that this is our government’s response. I love Canada and want it to thrive. I built Canada’s biggest tech company here because I know it’s a special place.”
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Lütke emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship, arguing that both nations succeed when they work together. “Canada thrives when it works with America together. We win by helping America win,” he said.
Addressing President Trump’s concerns, Lütke acknowledged that the U.S. leader believes Canada has not held up its end of the bargain. Trump has reportedly set terms for cooperation, including securing borders and cracking down on fentanyl production. “These are things that every Canadian wants its government to do, too,” Lütke noted. “These are not crazy demands, even if they came from an unpopular source.”
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However, Lütke warned that the tariffs would have severe consequences for Canadians, particularly small businesses. “These tariffs are going to be devastating to so many people’s lives and small businesses,” he said.
The Shopify CEO called for measured leadership, stressing that actions should be judged by their outcomes, not their rhetoric. “Action has to be judged based on what it leads to, not how good it sounds or feels,” he said. “Leadership is about doing what’s right, not what is popular. And hitting back will not lead to anything good. America will shrug it off. Canada will decline.”
Lütke argued that retaliatory measures would only harm Canada in the long run, urging policymakers to explore better alternatives. “It’s simply the wrong choice in a possibility space where much better options would have been available,” he said.
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