Trump reinserts himself into Canadian politics, saying ’as a state, it works great’

U.S. president says auto tariffs could go up: ‘We don't want your cars’. Days before the federal election and after more than a week without commenting on Canada, U.S. President Donald Trump resurfaced his 51st state rhetoric Wednesday afternoon and suggested he could further raise auto tariffs.

The president was speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, when he repeated his false claim (new window) that the United States subsidizes Canada to the tune of $200 billion US a year.

I have to be honest, as a state it works great, Trump said. Ninety-five per cent of what they do is they buy from us and they sell to us.

The comments come as the Canadian federal election had become less focused on U.S. economic and sovereignty threats and as the Liberal lead over the Conservative Party has tightened in the past week (new window).

If Canada didn't trade with the U.S., Trump said, as Trudeau told me, they would cease to exist … which is true, certainly, as a country. The president said he called former prime minister Justin Trudeau Governor Trudeau, affectionately.

On tariffs, he said he was working on a deal with Canada, but later suggested he could raise them further.

I'm working well with Canada. We're doing very well, Trump said, adding he didn't think it was appropriate for him to weigh in on the Canadian election, despite seeming to do exactly that.

I have spoken to the current prime minister. He was very, very nice. I will say we had a couple of very nice conversations.