Trump lashes out at Canada, urges firms to move to US to escape tariffs

US President Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on Canada following a breakdown in trade negotiations, calling the country “one of the worst abusers” of the United States and urging Canadian companies to shift their operations south of the border to avoid tariffs.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump credited his tariff policies with reviving the US automobile industry and accused Canada of exploiting the United States through unfair trade practices.

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“When I announced that I was running for the 2024 Presidential Election, right at the beginning, Ford was getting ready to close their Big Factory, in Detroit. Then, because I was leading in the Polls, they figured they would leave it open a little longer to see what happened. Now it's running 24/7, and it's one of the most profitable Car Plants in the World!” Trump said.

He said there were “many other examples” involving Ford, General Motors and other companies, claiming that his policies had “revived, and indeed saved, the Automobile Business” in the US.

Trump attributed the turnaround to his tariff strategy and singled out Canada for particular criticism.

“That's because of what I've done with TARIFFS. One of the Worst Abusers is Canada. I don't want Canadian cars, I don't want Canadian parts, I don't want Canadian anything. They've been ripping us off for decades, and it's going to stop,” Trump said.

The president also accused previous US administrations of failing to take a sufficiently tough approach towards Ottawa, drawing a parallel between his trade policy and his stance on Iran.

“This should have happened long ago with other Presidents, just as stopping Iran should have happened long ago,” Trump said.

Trump also rejected what he described as Canada's expectation of being treated like a US state, saying Washington would no longer accommodate such demands.

“They want to be treated like a State, but they aren't one. I deal with the Leadership of many Countries, but I find Canada to be the worst. They are entitled no longer!” Trump said.

Also Read: Canada excludes US seafood from retaliatory tariffs

He then called on Canadian companies with business interests in the United States to relocate their operations to the country, arguing that doing so would allow them to avoid tariffs.

“Let all Canadian Companies that are doing business with America move to the United States, immediately,” Trump said.

“Many of them are Companies that moved out years ago due to stupid US Leadership. When you move back, there are no TARIFFS!” he added.

Trump's comments come as trade relations between Washington and Ottawa remain strained, with the two sides at odds over US tariff measures and their impact on industries and businesses on both sides of the border.

The latest remarks mark another escalation in Trump's trade rhetoric towards Canada as the two North American neighbours seek to protect their domestic industries and navigate the economic fallout from the tariff measures.