US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Canada. He said the United States would impose 100% tariffs on Canadian goods. Trump published the threat on his social media platform. He said the measure would take effect immediately. The warning targets any trade agreement between Canada and China.
Trump said Canada would suffer severe consequences if it finalized a deal with Beijing. He said the tariffs would cover all Canadian products entering the United States. He described the action as necessary to defend American economic interests. He did not signal room for compromise. The statement intensified diplomatic pressure on Ottawa.
Trump Offers Few Details on Alleged Deal
Trump did not specify which agreement prompted his comments. His post referenced a potential deal with China. Canadian officials have not announced a free trade agreement. The lack of detail created confusion among analysts. Observers questioned the scope of Trump’s warning.
Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a strategic partnership with China. The announcement included agreements to reduce certain tariffs. Canadian leaders described the move as limited. They framed it as a pragmatic economic step. The partnership stopped short of a comprehensive trade pact.
Shift in Tone After Initial Approval
Trump initially reacted positively to Canada’s announcement. He publicly described the development as a good thing. His stance changed days later. The reversal followed rising political tensions. Relations between Washington and Ottawa have cooled.
The shift came after remarks by Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He said the US-led global order had fractured. He urged middle powers to cooperate against economic pressure. He avoided naming Trump directly. His speech drew strong reactions in Washington.
Trump Responds With Sharp Rhetoric
Trump answered Carney’s remarks the following day. He spoke during a public address. He said Canada exists because of the United States. The comment underscored his confrontational tone. It also drew criticism from Canadian officials.
Trump later withdrew an invitation for Canada. He removed the country from his proposed Board of Peace. The decision signaled further diplomatic strain. Observers described relations as increasingly fragile.
Claims of Canada Acting as China’s Gateway
Trump escalated his criticism in another social media post. He accused Carney of turning Canada into a drop-off port for China. He claimed China would route goods through Canada. He said those goods would target US markets. Trump rejected the idea outright.
He warned Canada against facilitating Chinese exports. He repeated his threat of full tariffs. He said Carney misunderstood US intentions. The remarks heightened trade uncertainty.
Canadian Government Pushes Back
Canadian trade minister Dominic LeBlanc rejected Trump’s claims. He said Canada was not pursuing a free trade deal with China. He said officials resolved several tariff disputes. He emphasized cooperation, not confrontation.
LeBlanc said the government focused on economic resilience. He said Canada aimed to strengthen global trade ties. He highlighted partnerships beyond the United States. The US remains Canada’s largest trading partner.
Diversification Efforts Gain Momentum
Canada has sought to reduce reliance on US trade. Trump’s unpredictable tariff policy accelerated that strategy. Ottawa has looked toward Asia and Europe. Officials described diversification as essential. The China agreement reflects that approach.
Under the recent deal, China will cut tariffs on Canadian canola oil. The rate will fall from 85% to 15% by March. Canada will lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The rate will drop to 6.1%.
Deal Seen as Turning Point
The agreement followed years of strained relations. Both sides imposed retaliatory tariffs in the past. Analysts described the deal as a breakthrough. It could unlock new Chinese investment. It may also stabilize trade flows.
Carney said the progress positioned Canada well. He said the country must adapt to global change. He framed the deal as strategic preparation. He described the moment as part of a new world order.
