GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — President Donald Trump criticized Canada on Tuesday, saying the northern neighbor "wants the benefits of being a state, without being one." Trump made the remarks during a campaign rally, targeting what he characterized as unfair trade practices and economic imbalances.
The comments mark Trump's latest escalation over the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and bilateral trade disputes. Trump has repeatedly complained about Canadian dairy tariffs and softwood lumber duties, along with what he views as Canada's protectionist agricultural policies. The U.S. has long pushed for greater market access for its dairy products in Canada, a persistent friction point between the countries.
Trump's "America First" rhetoric on trade resonates with his political base and frames existing agreements as harmful to U.S. workers and manufacturers. He has used similar arguments to justify tariff threats against allies and demands for agreement renegotiations.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office had not responded by late Tuesday. The two countries share the longest undefended border in the world and exchange billions of dollars in daily trade. Officials from both nations are scheduled to meet next month to discuss ongoing trade disputes and USMCA compliance. A formal review of the agreement is set for 2026.
