Donald Trump responded to Justin Trudeau’s tariffs with a heated warning that Canada would “cease to exist as a viable country” without US subsidies.
The US president sparked a severe trade war, with Mexico and Canada retaliating after imposing steep tariffs on both countries.
After Trudeau indicated that he would not back down, Trump proposed on Sunday morning that Canada become “our cherished 51st state.” On his Truth Social platform, he stated, “We pay hundreds of billions of dollars to subsidize Canada.” Why? “There’s no reason.”
He added, “We don’t need what they have. We have boundless energy, should build our own cars, and have more lumber than we can possibly utilize.”
He continued, “Without this tremendous subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a functioning country. “Harsh but true!” He said, “Therefore, Canada should become our cherished 51st state.” Much cheaper taxes and significantly better military protection for Canadians, with NO TARIFFS!”
In response to the White House’s tariff decision on Saturday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced similar tariffs on imported American goods.
Trudeau declared “far-reaching” 25% taxes on American imports worth $106.6 billion, including beer, wine, household appliances, and recreational equipment. According to the Express US, Trudeau vowed to “not back down in standing up for Canadians” but warned of serious consequences for people on both sides of the border.
“We do not want to be here. “We didn’t ask for this,” he stated. “The actions taken by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.”
In a further push for national unity, he encouraged Canadians to “choose Canadian products and services rather than American ones.”
Trudeau indicated that Canada’s retaliatory tariffs would match the timetable of America’s imposition, which is set for Tuesday. In reaction to the rising tensions, Sheinbaum instructed her economic minister to impose both tariff and non-tariff obstacles to protect Mexican interests.
She forcefully denied the White House’s charges, saying, “We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory.”
She also criticized the U.S. domestic policies and suggested, “If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don’t do and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population.”
Tensions rose last Saturday when the US president announced steep duties on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tax on Chinese goods, while Canadian energy items faced a 10% duty. The White House explains these actions as a response to the serious challenges of illegal immigration and drug trafficking, which President Trump promised to address.
In light of this, Trump has warned that if other countries respond with reciprocal duties, his tariff regime may become more severe.
The White House explained its current policy by posting a statement on X (previously Twitter), claiming, “The tariff announcement is necessary to hold China, Mexico, and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the United States.”
Trump reiterated his position on Truth Social, claiming, “This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our citizens, including fentanyl.”
