Trump threatens 100% tariff on Canada if it makes a deal with China
President DonaldTrumpthreatened a 100% tariffonCanadaif the country goes through and solidifies a trade deal with China.
"IfCanadamakes adeal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A. Thank you for your attention to this matter!,"Trumpwrote in a post on his social media platform.
In his post,Trumpdoes not make clear the deal he is referring to between China andCanada, but the two countries reached an agreement last Friday which would seeCanadaslash its 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for lower tariffs on Canadian agricultural products in China.
Dominic Leblanc, Canadian minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, issued a statement Saturday, saying that "there is no pursuit of a free trade agreement with China," and highlighting Canada's "remarkable partnership" with the United States.
"The new Government of Canada is strengthening the Canadian economy through a plan that consolidates our national strength and bolsters our trade partnerships around the world," the statement reads.
This isTrump's latest attack againstCanadaand it comes after yesterday’s social media post where he claimedCanadawas against his so-called "Golden Dome" missile defense project and blasted the country's trade deal with China.
In remarks Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back on Trump's criticism.
"Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security, and in rich cultural exchange," Carney said. "But Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian."
Last Friday,Trumpwas asked whether he was worried about the growing closeness between China andCanadaas Carney was visiting the country.Trumpindicated he had no problem with Carney signing a trade deal with China.
"That's what he should be doing. It's a good thing for him to sign a trade deal. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that,"Trumpsaid at the time.
In his post Saturday, Trump referred to the Canadian leader as "governor" rather than prime minister, which he had taken to doing with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in reference to Trump's suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
The latest threat against Canada also comes after Trump walked back tariffs he threatened to impose on European allies who didn't agree to his efforts to acquire Greenland. Trump said he and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte have "formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland."
