US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Canada regarding any potential trade agreement with China, threatening to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian goods entering the United States.
Tariff Threat Over Possible China Deal
On Saturday, President Trump stated that if Canada proceeds with a trade deal with China, the US would respond by applying a full tariff on all Canadian products. He emphasized that such a deal could have severe consequences for Canada’s economy and social structure.
Trump expressed his concerns on Truth Social, stating, “China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life.” He further warned that any Canadian-Chinese trade agreement would trigger immediate tariffs on Canadian exports to the US.
Canadian Leadership’s Engagement with China
Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister, recently described China as a “reliable and predictable partner” during a visit to the country. Additionally, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Carney encouraged European leaders to seek investment opportunities from China, the world’s second-largest economy.
Concerns Over Tariff Evasion
President Trump suggested that China might attempt to use Canada as a conduit to bypass US tariffs. He cautioned Carney against transforming Canada into a “Drop Off Port” for Chinese goods destined for the US market, stating that such a strategy would be a mistake.
Rising Tensions Between the US and Canada
Relations between the US and Canada have become strained in recent days. On Thursday, Trump rescinded an invitation for Canada to join his Board of Peace initiative, which aims to address global conflicts.
This decision followed Carney’s remarks at Davos, where he criticized powerful nations for using economic integration as a tool for leverage and condemned the use of tariffs as a form of economic weaponry.
