Donald Trump turns screw in trade war, telling Trudeau: ‘Canada should be 51st US state’ | World | News
Donald Trump has launched an extraordinary attack on Canada, suggesting the country is only viable because of US subsidies and proposing it become “our cherished 51st state.”
The US president’s comments come amid escalating tensions after his decision to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian imports, which prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to hit back with retaliatory measures.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump wrote: “We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason. We don’t need anything they have.
“We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country.
“Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada – AND NO TARIFFS!”
The claim that the US subsidises Canada “hundreds of billions of dollars” is highly questionable, but Mr Trump’s remarks underline his increasingly aggressive stance on trade.
His initial decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, including energy, cars, and raw materials, was met with anger in Ottawa.
In response, Mr Trudeau announced retaliatory tariffs of 25% on up to C$155 billion (£90 billion) worth of US imports, including alcohol and agricultural products.
He said “The actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.
“It is going to have real consequences for people, for workers on both sides of our border. We don’t want to be here. We didn’t ask for this, but we will not back down in standing up for Canadians.”
Mr Trump’s latest remarks will do little to calm tensions, and his suggestion that Canada should relinquish its independence is likely to inflame relations further.
The dispute is also playing out against the backdrop of broader global economic unrest.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has already condemned the tariffs on Mexico, dismissing them as an “unjustifiable attack” and accusing Washington of making false claims about drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, China has pledged to take “all necessary countermeasures” after being hit with its own round of US tariffs.
Beijing has warned that Mr Trump’s actions risk sparking a global trade war and has lodged a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization.
With tariffs now in effect, US allies and trading partners are preparing for economic turbulence, and businesses on both sides of the border are bracing for higher prices and supply chain disruption.
Mr Trump, however, appears undeterred – suggesting that, in his eyes, the economic cost is a price worth paying.
