US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, August 26, that “it is time to teach Canada that it can no longer do this,” just days after trade negotiations between the neighboring countries collapsed.
In an interview with Glenn Beck, Trump said he had “a pretty good deal, you know, a fairly good one.” He added that “Canada doesn’t have anything we desperately need, we can do without it.” He also noted that “there are a few things that would create minor inconveniences, but we can get them elsewhere,” and reiterated: “It is time to teach Canada that it can no longer do this.”
On Saturday, Trump imposed new 50% tariffs on Canadian imports worth 20 billion dollars after the talks collapsed. In response, Canada imposed tariffs on US imports worth about 20 billion dollars a year on Tuesday and announced aid for businesses and workers, matching the tariff amount. The measures will take effect on September 8.
Donald Trump also announced 50% tariffs on Canadian cars and parts, effective January 1. Canada said the US refusal to grant exemptions for medium‑ and heavy‑weight vehicles was a key reason an agreement could not be reached.
White House forecasts for a future deal
The Canadian Embassy in Washington did not provide an immediate comment on Wednesday. White House adviser Peter Navarro said the deal Canada eventually reaches with the US will be worse than the one offered last week.
“This is just not going to end well for Canada, and I predict that the deal you got and turned your nose up at, you will never get again,” Navarro said on C‑SPAN. “Everything you get will be less than this.”
Navarro added that the US offer to Canada “made me feel uncomfortable,” given how beneficial he considered it for the US’s northern neighbour. “Economically, they should not have turned it down in any way,” he said.
Source: The Strait Times
