Trump assails Canadian tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump is accusing Canadians of buying products south of the border, then sneaking them back home – all because of what he calls “massive” tariffs on American goods.
Trump, speaking to a gathering of small business owners in Washington, is railing again against the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying the U.S. can no longer afford to be the “stupid country.”
He says Canada imposes such onerous tariffs on U.S. products – shoes, for instance – that people are forced to “scuff ‘em up” in order to “smuggle” them home.
Trump says he’s looking out for American farmers and manufacturers, and again takes issue with Canada’s supply management system for dairy farmers.
His comments as the official Opposition calls for an emergency debate in the House of Commons over the future of the Canada-U.S. trade.
Conservative foreign affairs critic Erin O’Toole says Canadians need to see their elected representatives addressing what is the biggest economic crisis in their lifetime – but Commons Speaker Geoff Regan says the issue doesn’t meet the requirements for an emergency debate.
“We can no longer be the stupid country; we want to be the smart country,” Trump said to rousing applause.
On July 1, Canada is set to impose retaliatory tariffs of $16.6 billion on U.S. products after Trump slapped tariffs on aluminum and steel – and he has threatened more to come on automobiles.