Trump Calls Canadian Prime Minister "Governor Can" and Warns Canada: Deepen Trade with China, US Will Impose 100% Tariffs

US President Trump said on Saturday, January 24, that if Canada continues to promote economic and trade relations with China, the US will impose tariffs of up to 100% on Canadian products exported to the US. Trump's latest statement has added more uncertainty to the already tense US-Canada relationship.

According to AFP, Trump posted on his social platform "Truth Social" that if Canada reaches a trade agreement with China, the US will impose "a 100% tariff" on all Canadian imports. This rate means that the price of Canadian products entering the US market would be doubled directly.

Trump stated that he does not want Canada to become a "transit point" for Chinese goods entering the US market. In his post, Trump warned that China may "completely swallow Canada" and claimed this would cause destructive impacts on Canada's business system, social structure, and overall way of life.

In response to Trump's threat of imposing higher tariffs, the Canadian government quickly responded. Dominic Leblanc, the Canadian minister responsible for Canada-US trade affairs, stated on the social platform X that there is "no ongoing free trade agreement being pursued between Canada and China," and that what has been achieved so far is only "a solution to several important tariff issues."

The Canadian business community also expressed concern. Matthew Holmes, executive vice president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, stated that Canada needs to develop a more stable and orderly trade relationship with China and other countries without abandoning its economic and trade relations with the US. He pointed out that Canadian businesses are generally worried about the current situation and hope that Ottawa and Washington can quickly deepen mutual understanding and ease trade tensions.

Since Trump returned to the White House a year ago, he has repeatedly taken a hard stance against Canada, even openly hinting at incorporating Canada into the US as the "51st state." In Trump's comprehensive trade war, Canada has always been one of the main targets, with industries such as steel, aluminum, automobiles, and timber suffering from additional tariffs.

Although most US-Canada trade remains unaffected by tariffs, the US government still adheres to the existing North American Free Trade framework. However, analysts point out that once bilateral relations fluctuate, the threat of tariff escalation will quickly return.

"Governor Can" Controversy

Trump recently also expressed dissatisfaction with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's statements at the Davos Forum. Trudeau stated in his speech that the global order is facing profound division and called on countries with certain international influence to strengthen coordination and cooperation to address what he calls "hegemonic forces." In response, Trump said that Canada's existence "depends on the US."

In his latest statement, Trump again referred to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau as "Governor Can." He had previously used the same term to refer to former Prime Minister Trudeau, and such remarks are seen as part of his "annexation of Canada" rhetoric.

Facing the trade war launched by the US, the Canadian government is promoting two strategies: one is to strengthen domestic trade, and the other is to actively explore Asian and European markets. Trudeau visited China last week and stated that both sides reached a "preliminary but historically significant trade agreement," aiming to eliminate trade barriers and reduce tariffs.

Trudeau also emphasized that Canada needs to reduce its reliance on the US, its largest trading partner. Currently, the US still far surpasses China as Canada's most important trading partner.

According to the China-Canada agreement, Canada will allow 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter the Canadian market at a preferential tariff of 6.1%, which is equivalent to the level in 2023. Trudeau stated that this number accounts for less than 3% of the Canadian car market and expressed hope that more Chinese investments can be attracted within the next three years to promote local employment in Canada.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855240514887689/

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