Trump reiterates tariff threat, calls Canada ‘nasty’ on trade
U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stirred up tensions with Canada, accusing the country of being “very nasty to us on trade.” During a briefing in Asheville, N.C., Trump claimed that he had questioned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about what would happen if the U.S. stopped subsidizing Canada.
This latest attack on Canada comes amidst ongoing trade disputes between the two countries. Trump alleged that during a conversation with Trudeau, the prime minister admitted that Canada would be a “failed nation” without U.S. support. These remarks were made shortly after Trump had threatened a 25 per cent tariff on all goods entering the U.S. from Canada.
In North Carolina, Trump reiterated his belief that the U.S. does not rely on Canada for essential products such as cars, lumber, or food, as they can be produced domestically. He even suggested that Canadians would have better health coverage if they were part of the U.S., claiming that “the people of Canada would like it.”
Trudeau, on the other hand, has made it clear that Canada is prepared to retaliate with matching tariffs on American products if the U.S. follows through with its tariff threats. Despite Trump’s claims, Trudeau has expressed doubts that the U.S. would want to engage in a full-blown trade war.
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time Trump has misrepresented conversations with the Canadian prime minister. In a recent interview, Trudeau revealed that Trump had omitted key details of their discussions at Mar-a-Lago, including a lighthearted suggestion about trading certain parts of Canada for U.S. states like Vermont or California.
As tensions continue to simmer between the two countries, it remains to be seen how the trade relationship will evolve under the new administration. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
