The US "subsidizes" Canada with 200 billion USD/year - Trump threatens to increase tariffs before the Canadian elections
A few days before the federal election and after more than a week without commenting on Canada, US President Donald Trump resurfaced his 51st state rhetoric and suggested he could further increase auto tariffs.
The president repeated his false claim that the United States "subsidizes" Canada with 200 billion US dollars per year.
"I have to be honest, as a country it works great," Trump said. "Ninety-five percent of what they do is they buy from us and they sell to us."
The comments come as the Canadian federal election became less focused on U.S. economic and sovereignty threats and as the Liberals' lead over the Conservative Party narrowed in the past week.
If Canada didn't trade with the U.S., according to Trump, "as Trudeau told me, they would cease to exist as a country... which is true, of course." The president said he called former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "Governor Trudeau."
Regarding tariffs, he said he was "working on a deal" with Canada, but later suggested he could raise them further.
Trump was asked whether he would raise tariffs on Canadian goods, which so far include taxes on vehicles and car parts, steel, aluminum, goods that are not in compliance with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement and an expected increase in tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.
"At some point, they could go up," Trump said of the tariffs. Most of his comments focused on the auto industry, but he also said there are currently no planned tariff increases on vehicles.
"All we're saying is we don't want your cars, with all due respect," the president said. "We don't need their oil. We don't need their wood. We don't need their cars."
The president has repeated his $200 billion claim twice. Since December, Trump has cited figures ranging from $100 billion to $250 billion, saying the country is "subsidizing" Canada. Journalists and trade experts have repeatedly dismissed the claim and said it is unclear where the US president got such a high figure.
Canada's trade deficit with the United States was $63 billion last year, up from just over $64 billion in 2023. But Canadian tourists visiting the country, whose numbers are falling according to data, make up some of that gap. Trade deficits are also not considered subsidies.
Poll
Hotels on the coast, ready for tourists - Importing 140 tons of umbrellas in a month. Businesses rush to catch the season
Not only for the timely provision of labor, but also for infrastructural preparation, resorts, hotels and beach stations along the country's coastline have......
Agriculture, towards international standards - National Scheme 2025 supports GLOBAL GAP certification
Albanian farmers will be offered support for GLOBAL GAP certification to increase production standards. The National Agricultural Support Scheme for 2025......
Development of the coastal area of Darëzeza - Details of the project "Between Seman and Vjosa". Promenade, sports and recreation area
Promenade, sports and recreation area, seasonal accommodation and hotel structures, beach services, etc. These are some of the details of the project......
Which countries prefer Greece? - Over 28 million visitors will travel to Hellenic land in 2025
Greek tourism continues to be dominant in 2025. Planning for the 2025 summer season reflects a stable demand structure, with interest in Greece remaining......
Subsidies in agriculture/AZHBR: 200 thousand lek support for organic farms!
The Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (AZHBR) announces that the call for applications for the 8 support measures of the National Agriculture Scheme......
"Between Seman and Vjosa"/ Balluku: The newest project aims to develop the Darëzeza coast!
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, shared on social media footage from the "Between Seman and Vjosa" project,......
Global Privacy Summit/ Commissioner Dervishi holds meetings with senior US officials
The Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection, Besnik Dervishi, participated in the 25th Edition of the Annual Global Privacy......
Instability in the foreign exchange market – What happened to foreign currencies today?!
The US dollar continues to register continuous fluctuations in value this morning as compared to yesterday, it was bought today for 86.5 lek and sold for......
