Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on Canada Over Possible China Trade Deal

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would impose a 100 percent tariff on Canadian goods if Ottawa moves ahead with a trade deal with China, warning that such an agreement would endanger Canada’s economy and sovereignty.

“China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that a deal would lead to the “destruction” of Canadian businesses and society.

“If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100 percent Tariff,” he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did not directly respond to the threat but urged citizens to support domestic products.

“With our economy under threat from abroad, Canadians have made a choice to focus on what we can control,” Carney said in a video message. “We can be our own best customer.”

Carney recently traveled to China in an effort to improve strained relations and resolve several tariff-related disputes. Canadian officials later clarified that the visit did not result in a free trade agreement.

“There is no pursuit of a free trade deal with China,” Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said on X. “What was achieved was resolution on several important tariff issues.”

China’s embassy in Canada said Beijing was ready to work with Ottawa to implement agreements reached by both countries’ leaders.

Rising Tensions

Trump accused China of seeking to use Canada as a gateway to bypass US tariffs.

“If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘drop-off port’ for China, he is sorely mistaken,” Trump said, using language linked to his past remarks about Canada becoming a US state.

He later added that China would not be allowed to “take over” Canada.

If implemented, the proposed tariff would sharply raise US duties on Canadian exports, putting pressure on key sectors including autos, metals, and machinery.

Relations between Trump and Carney have deteriorated in recent weeks, particularly after Carney criticized Trump’s interest in Greenland and questioned the future of the rules-based global order at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Carney said middle powers must cooperate to avoid being marginalized, declaring, “If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.”

Trump responded by saying Canada “lives because of the United States,” a claim Carney rejected.

“Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney said.

Trade Uncertainty

Although Trump and Carney initially shared a cordial relationship after Carney’s election, ties have cooled as trade tensions intensified.

Trump has also questioned the relevance of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is due for renegotiation in July.

Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs, often using them as leverage in negotiations. Some measures have later been delayed or withdrawn.

This week, Trump eased tariff threats against European allies following renewed security commitments in the Arctic.

Business leaders have warned that prolonged uncertainty could harm investment and trade.

“We hope the two governments can reach a better understanding quickly,” said Matthew Holmes of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, “to ease concerns for businesses facing the consequences of heightened uncertainty.”