Trump reinserts himself into Canadian politics, saying ‘as a state, it works great’
Days before the federal election and after more than a week without commenting on Canada, U.S. President Donald Trump resurfaced his 51st state rhetoric Wednesday afternoon and suggested he could further raise auto tariffs.
The president, speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, reiterated his false claim that the United States “subsidizes” Canada to the tune of $200 billion US a year. He stated, “I have to be honest, as a state it works great. Ninety-five percent of what they do is they buy from us and they sell to us.”
These comments come at a crucial time as the Canadian federal election has shifted focus away from U.S. economic and sovereignty threats. The Liberal lead over the Conservative Party has tightened in the past week, adding an air of uncertainty to the upcoming election.
Despite Trump’s claims of subsidizing Canada, he also mentioned working on a deal with the country regarding tariffs. However, he later hinted at the possibility of raising tariffs further, stating, “I’m working well with Canada. We’re doing very well.” He also mentioned having had positive conversations with the current Prime Minister, although he refrained from directly interfering in the Canadian election.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Liberal Leader Mark Carney has only had one conversation with President Trump, which was described as productive and respectful of Canadian sovereignty. Carney has been campaigning on his ability to handle Trump, emphasizing the need for a strong mandate for a Liberal government to face the challenges presented by the U.S. president.
In contrast, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been criticized by Carney for adopting an “American-style” approach to key issues such as homelessness, affordable housing, and mental health care. The campaign focus has shifted according to recent data from CBC’s Vote Compass, with voters now prioritizing the economy and cost of living over Canada-U.S. relations.
When asked about potential tariff increases on Canadian goods, Trump hinted that tariffs could go up in the future, particularly in the auto industry. Despite his repeated claims of subsidizing Canada, experts have debunked these figures, citing the trade deficit of $63 billion US last year. Canada has retaliated with tariffs on U.S. goods and aid for businesses affected by the trade war.
As the federal election approaches, the stance of political leaders on dealing with U.S. threats and tariffs will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome. The dynamics between Canada and the U.S. continue to be a key issue for voters, highlighting the importance of strong leadership in navigating these complex international relations.
