SerpApi.Org
Donald Trump made a baffling comment about relations between Canada and the USA as he announced new 50 per cent tariffs on imports from America's neighbor to the north. The new charges, which will apply to most Canadian-produced goods imported to the USA, were announced just one day the day after the end of the FIFA World Cup, which was jointly hosted by Canada and the US, along with Mexico.
Explaining his reasoning behind the tariffs, which are due to come into force next month, President Trump made a truly bizarre claim about relations between the two nations. Speaking in the White House, he said the charges were "a response to the way they've treated our farmers and our people".
"Canada has been very very tough on us over the years, for many years, and no other president's done anything about it," he said. "I love Canada, I love the people of Canada, many friends who live in Canada, but their leadership from [Justin] Trudeau to current leadership...
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"I mean, in all fairness to them, they need us to survive. Without us there's no way they can survive. But they've been very tough over a period of the last 50 years actually."
The President also denied the tariffs were a response to the impact of Canadian wildfires, which resulted in smoke spreading over large parts of the US.
People on X, formerly Twitter, were baffled by Trump's comments about Canada's "survival".
One said: "What an arrogant moron. How on Earth does he come to that conclusion? Canada will be just fine without the US."
Another wrote: "Canada survived long before Trump and will survive long after Trump is gone. God help America."
Others pointed out the overwhelming majority of potash - an essential fertiliser widely used by farmers - used in the USA is produced in Canada, and the tariffs could have a negative impact on this.
Someone else wrote: "Things will get more expensive in USA, hopefully the voters will express their displeasure at the polls in November."
A different user said: "Canada can avoid these tariffs by not selling their products to the US. Expand exports to other countries, expand sales in Canada. Trump keeps saying over and over that the US doesn’t need anything, so send them exactly that, NOTHING!!! See how well that goes over."
And another wrote: "Wrong again, Canada doesn't need you, your citizens, your business need Canada. We will not only survive without you, we will prosper having multiple partnerships without being bullied on every occasion."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday he had spoken with Trump regarding the tariffs and the two had agreed to ramp up trade talks, the BBC reported.
He also said Canada would "look at all options in terms of how we would respond" if the charges come into effect next month.
