US President Donald Trump has issued a warning to impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian imports if the nation pursues a trade agreement with China.
Writing on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump stated that any deal between Canada and China would trigger an immediate 100% tax on every Canadian product entering the United States.
The friction between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has intensified following Carney’s recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he criticized the influence of global powers.
Carney recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to announce a bilateral trade pact that specifically includes provisions for electric vehicles.
Interestingly, Trump had previously described the prospect of such a deal as “a good thing” during earlier discussions.
It remains unclear if the agreement has officially been implemented or if Trump’s threat targets a specific new development; the BBC has requested comments from the White House and Canadian trade officials.
In his weekend post, Trump disparagingly referred to the Prime Minister as “Governor Carney” and vowed to prevent Canada from serving as a “Drop Off Port” for Chinese goods destined for the U.S.
Trump provided no specific timeline for the tariffs, though his rhetoric echoes claims from last year when he referred to Canada as the “51st state” and suggested he might seek to acquire the territory.
While the bilateral relationship had shown signs of stabilizing, Trump’s ambitions for Greenland and his stance on NATO have caused fresh divisions; Carney’s Davos speech notably warned of a “rupture” in the US-led global order.
Responding directly to the Canadian leader, Trump asserted during his own address that “Canada lives because of the United States.”
Following this exchange, Trump rescinded Canada’s invitation to the Board of Peace, a new American-led international organization intended for conflict resolution.
Trump also criticized Canada on social media for opposing “The Golden Dome,” his proposed anti-missile shield in Greenland, while simultaneously blasting the country for “doing business with China.”
Defending the China deal—which involves reciprocal tariff easing on EVs and agricultural goods—Carney stated that the “world has changed” and Canada is preparing for a “new world order.”
Carney further remarked that Canada’s dealings with Beijing have become “more predictable” than its volatile relationship with the United States under the current administration.
Trade experts told the BBC that Canada is undergoing a significant policy shift regarding China, driven largely by the persistent instability of its primary trading partner.
Since returning to the Oval Office, Trump has already implemented a 35% tariff on Canadian goods not covered by existing free trade agreements that are currently under review.
Carney countered Trump’s narrative on Thursday, acknowledging the long-standing partnership between the two nations but asserting Canada’s fundamental independence.
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States,” Carney concluded, emphasizing that the country “thrives because we are Canadians.”