President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Canada, threatening to impose 100% tariffs on “all Canadian goods and products” if the country enters a trade agreement with China. This ultimatum came on Saturday and marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the United States and its northern neighbor.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump referred to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a dismissive manner, suggesting that Canada could become merely a conduit for Chinese goods into the U.S. market. “If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘Drop Off Port’ for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He further warned that such a scenario would lead to dire consequences for Canada, claiming that “China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it.”
The use of the term “Governor” by Trump appears intended to mock Carney, reminiscent of past comments regarding Canada’s potential absorption into the United States. This latest threat comes shortly after Trump had characterized a proposed deal between Canada and China as “a good thing” for Carney, indicating a shift in his stance.
In his follow-up comments, Trump reiterated his position, stating that Canada would face immediate tariffs should Carney proceed with the trade deal. “The last thing the world needs is to have China take over Canada. It’s NOT going to happen, or even come close to happening!” he declared.
As of Saturday afternoon, Prime Minister Carney had not publicly responded to Trump’s remarks, which are part of a growing exchange of barbs between the two leaders. Tensions escalated further when Trump, during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, suggested that “Canada lives because of the United States,” prompting Carney to assert in his own address that “Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”
The relationship between the two leaders has soured recently, highlighted by Trump’s decision to revoke Carney’s invitation to join his newly formed “Board of Peace,” a panel aimed at addressing global conflicts. Trump’s withdrawal of the invitation was conveyed in another Truth Social post, where he referred to the board as “the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.”
Carney has been emerging as a prominent voice against Trump’s foreign policy approach, particularly regarding the influence of major powers. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he warned of coercion by powerful nations without directly referencing Trump.
Trump’s recent threats against Canada come on the heels of another controversial announcement where he indicated plans to impose 10% tariffs on countries that did not support his bid for control of Greenland. He later retracted that threat, stating he had reached a “framework of a future deal” with NATO concerning Arctic security.
The continuing back-and-forth between Trump and Carney underscores the complexities of international trade relations and the potential ramifications for both nations. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this will impact not only Canada-U.S. relations but also the broader landscape of global trade.
