US President Donald Trump threatened Canada in a Truth Social post on Monday, lashing out at Ontario Premier Doug Ford and again referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as a "governor" rather than prime minister, as the two countries' economic relations continue to deteriorate.
Trump dismissed what he called Ford's "pompous words," describing the Ontario premier as the less charismatic, less intelligent and generally unremarkable brother of the late Rob Ford. Trump said the United States had carried Canada on its back for decades but would do so no longer, adding that America would always be far bigger, richer and stronger than its northern neighbor.
Trump's claims about Canada's economy
Trump pointed out that much of the electricity, oil and gas Canada receives is transported through the United States. He claimed Canada's unemployment rate now stands at 10% and is rising rapidly, and said Canadian businesses are fleeing to the United States because of what he called failed policy and incompetent leadership in Ottawa.
Trump argued Canada would not survive without the United States, saying the country draws money from America. He said that because of poor leadership, above all from Carney, whom he called a "governor," and Ford, whom he described as Carney's servant, Canada would no longer be allowed to keep relying on the US as its key to survival. Trump warned that someone needed to make the two men "fall in line," or the consequences for Canada would be far worse.
Collapsed trade talks and new tariffs
The threats follow the breakdown of trade negotiations between Washington and Ottawa. The United States imposed 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods early on Saturday, August 22, after the two longtime allies failed to reach a trade agreement, according to Reuters, which reported that Washington and Ottawa each blame the other for the collapse of days of talks.
The tariffs took effect just after midnight and cover Canadian goods worth roughly $20 billion, including wooden hockey sticks, which are now rarely used. Canada is the largest US trading partner after Mexico, and the tariffs are expected to fall short of an economic turning point since they cover only slightly more than 5% of Canadian exports to the United States.
Carney's response
Carney called the new 50% US tariffs a miscalculation by Washington. He said he had walked away from a deal with the United States because he was not prepared to sacrifice Canadian sovereignty.
Carney said Canada would respond symmetrically and would introduce its own tariffs from September 8, with details to be released in the coming days. According to broadcaster CBC, the Canadian tariffs are expected to affect the dairy, metallurgy and pulp and paper industries, as well as household appliances and electronics.
