President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Canada that it could face steep consequences if it deepens trade ties with China, including a potential 100% tariff on Canadian imports entering the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A. Thank you for your attention to this matter!,\u201d Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump did not specify which agreement he was referencing. However, Canada and China reached an agreement last Friday that would reportedly have Canada scale back its 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for lower Chinese tariffs on Canadian agricultural products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canadian officials quickly pushed back on the idea that the country is pursuing broader economic alignment with Beijing. Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian minister responsible for Canada\u2013U.S. trade, released a statement Saturday insisting that \u201cthere is no pursuit of a free trade agreement with China,\u201d while emphasizing Canada\u2019s relationship with Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCanada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security, and in rich cultural exchange,\u201d LeBlanc said, calling the U.S.-Canada relationship a \u201cremarkable partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His statement added, \u201cThe new Government of Canada is strengthening the Canadian economy through a plan that consolidates our national strength and bolsters our trade partnerships around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump\u2019s latest warning comes amid renewed scrutiny from Republicans and conservatives over Canada\u2019s willingness to do business with the Chinese Communist Party while continuing to rely on U.S. markets and security guarantees. The post followed another social media message Trump shared the day before, in which he criticized Canada\u2019s reported stance toward his proposed \u201cGolden Dome\u201d missile defense initiative and blasted Ottawa\u2019s trade engagement with China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed Trump\u2019s criticism Thursday, arguing that Canada\u2019s identity and strength are independent of the United States, even as the two countries remain close allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCanada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security, and in rich cultural exchange,\u201d Carney said. \u201cBut Canada doesn\u2019t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The clash also comes after Trump was asked last Friday whether he was concerned about Canada growing closer to China during Carney\u2019s visit. At the time, Trump signaled he was not opposed to Canada pursuing trade deals\u2014as long as U.S. interests are protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what he should be doing. It\u2019s a good thing for him to sign a trade deal. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Saturday\u2019s post, Trump referred to Carney as \u201cgovernor\u201d rather than prime minister\u2014a term he previously used for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tying it to his long-running suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The warning also comes after Trump recently walked back tariffs he had threatened to impose on European allies who resisted his proposals involving Greenland. Trump said he and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte have \u201cformed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n