WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a blistering ultimatum to one of America’s closest allies, threatening to slap a 100% tariff on all Canadian goods if Ottawa moves forward with a burgeoning trade deal with Beijing.
The “Governor” Taunt In a post on Truth Social this Saturday, Trump revived his “Governor Carney” nickname for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—a dig at Carney’s past role as Governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England. Trump wrote: “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.”
The Trigger: China-Canada Deal The threat comes just days after Carney returned from Beijing, where he met President Xi Jinping. Canada has reportedly agreed to allow 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) into the country at a reduced 6% tariff rate, in exchange for China lowering duties on Canadian canola.
“Eat Canada Alive” Trump’s rhetoric was apocalyptic. He warned that deeper ties with Beijing would result in China “eating Canada alive” and destroying its social fabric. The threat of a 100% tariff would effectively sever the U.S.-Canada economic lifeline, as the U.S. remains Canada’s largest trading partner.
