US President Donald Trump on Monday called Canada "one of the worst countries in the entire world" to deal with, as nearly $1 billion in US tariffs on Canadian imports took effect on Tuesday, escalating the trade war between the longtime allies.
In the Oval Office, Trump accused Ottawa of treating the United States "very unfairly," claiming Canada had imposed tariffs of 400% or more on American farmers and taken advantage of Washington. "The problem is that they've treated the United States very unfairly," he said. "They want to have a deal with us. They call us all the time... They have been one of the worst countries in the entire world."
New Tariffs Bite
Nearly $1 billion in US tariffs on certain Canadian imports — including alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles — took effect Tuesday, according to The Fiscal Times, though they affect only a small slice of the roughly $880 billion in annual trade between the two neighbours. Reuters reported the import bans followed 50% US tariffs on some $20 billion of Canadian goods last month, and that Washington has threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian autos, parts and steel from January. Canada has retaliated in kind.
Trump said about 95% of Canada's business was conducted with the US, adding: "There's nothing they have that we need. We have more energy than they have. We have all the lumber you could possibly use." He predicted Canada would come to Washington "over the next three or four weeks" seeking a deal: "We're going to win everything."
Ottawa Turns to Europe
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has retaliated in kind while pushing to diversify economic ties. Reuters reported earlier this month that Canada was seeking what Carney called a "unique alliance" with the European Union rather than full membership, with discussions under way on energy, artificial intelligence, defence and critical minerals. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the bloc's first "associate member", backed by France's Emmanuel Macron, according to the AP.
Several rounds of trade talks have collapsed, and Reuters reported US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC there was "no urgency" on Washington's part to reach a deal. "We're comfortable with where we are... There's no urgency on our side, I would say," Greer said.
Sources: Trump says Canada treated US 'very unfairly', calls it 'one of the worst countries' — The Economic Times | Trump Calls Canada 'One of the Worst Countries' to Deal With as Ottawa Turns to Europe — Newsmax | Trump's $810 Million in Funding Cuts Are Unconstitutional: Watchdog — The Fiscal Times | Trump sees no urgency for Canada deal as trade dispute deepens, USTR says — Reuters
In the Oval Office, Trump accused Ottawa of treating the United States "very unfairly," claiming Canada had imposed tariffs of 400% or more on American farmers and taken advantage of Washington. "The problem is that they've treated the United States very unfairly," he said. "They want to have a deal with us. They call us all the time... They have been one of the worst countries in the entire world."
New Tariffs Bite
Nearly $1 billion in US tariffs on certain Canadian imports — including alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles — took effect Tuesday, according to The Fiscal Times, though they affect only a small slice of the roughly $880 billion in annual trade between the two neighbours. Reuters reported the import bans followed 50% US tariffs on some $20 billion of Canadian goods last month, and that Washington has threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian autos, parts and steel from January. Canada has retaliated in kind.
Trump said about 95% of Canada's business was conducted with the US, adding: "There's nothing they have that we need. We have more energy than they have. We have all the lumber you could possibly use." He predicted Canada would come to Washington "over the next three or four weeks" seeking a deal: "We're going to win everything."
Ottawa Turns to Europe
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has retaliated in kind while pushing to diversify economic ties. Reuters reported earlier this month that Canada was seeking what Carney called a "unique alliance" with the European Union rather than full membership, with discussions under way on energy, artificial intelligence, defence and critical minerals. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the bloc's first "associate member", backed by France's Emmanuel Macron, according to the AP.
Several rounds of trade talks have collapsed, and Reuters reported US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC there was "no urgency" on Washington's part to reach a deal. "We're comfortable with where we are... There's no urgency on our side, I would say," Greer said.
Sources: Trump says Canada treated US 'very unfairly', calls it 'one of the worst countries' — The Economic Times | Trump Calls Canada 'One of the Worst Countries' to Deal With as Ottawa Turns to Europe — Newsmax | Trump's $810 Million in Funding Cuts Are Unconstitutional: Watchdog — The Fiscal Times | Trump sees no urgency for Canada deal as trade dispute deepens, USTR says — Reuters
