Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Canada if It Finalizes Trade Deal With China

Darwin, 25 January: US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on all goods entering the United States from Canada if Ottawa finalizes any trade agreement with China.

Since Trump returned to the White House a year ago, relations between the United States and its northern neighbor Canada have been unstable. Alongside trade disputes, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that a “rupture” has emerged in the US-led global order.

Last week, during a visit to Beijing, Carney spoke of a “new strategic partnership” with China. He said the visit resulted in a “preliminary but historic” trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs. Trump, however, warned that implementing such a deal would have “serious consequences.”

Reporting from Washington, AFP said Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that if Carney believes he can turn Canada into a “drop-off port” for Chinese goods entering the United States, he is gravely mistaken.

Trump added that “China will swallow Canada alive—destroying its businesses, social structure, and overall way of life.”

He said, “If Canada makes a deal with China, a 100 percent tariff will be immediately imposed on all Canadian goods entering the United States.”

Trump addressed Carney as “Governor,” a jibe reflecting his repeated claim that Canada should become the 51st US state.

Earlier this week, Trump posted a map on social media showing Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela covered with the US flag.

Responding to Trump’s latest threat, Canada’s Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade with the US, Dominic LeBlanc, said Canada is not attempting to pursue a free trade agreement with China.

Writing on X, he said, “What has been achieved is the resolution of several important tariff-related issues.”

In recent days, the war of words between the two leaders has intensified. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Carney referred to a “rupture” in the US-led global system, a remark that drew widespread applause.

The comment was widely seen as an indirect reference to Trump’s disruptive role in international politics, although Carney did not name him directly.

The following day, Trump criticized Carney and later withdrew an invitation for him to join Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace.”

Originally suggested to oversee post-war Gaza, the body is now believed to be moving toward a much broader role, raising concerns that Trump may be seeking to create an alternative to the United Nations.

Trump said, “Canada survives because of the United States. Mark, remember that the next time you give a speech.”

In response, Carney said on Thursday, “Canada does not survive because of the United States. We prosper because we are Canadian,” while also acknowledging the “exceptional partnership” between the two countries.

Canada is heavily dependent on trade with the United States. More than three-quarters of its total exports go to the US.

Key Canadian sectors such as automobiles, aluminum, and steel have been hit hard by Trump’s global sector-based tariffs. However, the impact has been somewhat limited due to Trump’s general adherence to the existing North American free trade agreement.

Negotiations to revise that agreement are scheduled to begin early this year. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States does not need any Canadian products—a stance that could have devastating consequences for Canada.

In a statement, Matthew Holmes, executive vice-president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes the two governments will quickly reach a constructive agreement that eases business concerns.

Later this year, Canada, the United States, and Mexico are set to jointly host the FIFA World Cup.