Trump makes startling revelation about Canada as trade war pushes Ottawa closer to Europe

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump called Canada “very, very difficult to deal with” as Prime Minister Mark Carney moved toward closer ties with the European Union.

The comments came as Washington and Ottawa remain locked in a tariff dispute after trade talks broke down in August.

Trump made the comments while speaking with reporters on Monday, September 14, aboard Air Force One while returning from Ireland to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, discussing his trip, AI, Ukraine, and the midterm elections.

Trump says Canada is the worst country to deal with

Trump said he remained optimistic about reaching an agreement with Canada, even as he described dealing with the country as particularly difficult.

“I find Canada to be the worst country to deal with. The most difficult country,” Trump said when asked whether Canada was more dangerous to the US than Russia and China.

“With that being said, they're dying to make a deal,” he added.

Trump separately said a deal could come “fairly soon,” but provided no details on whether formal negotiations between the two countries had resumed, as per a Bloomberg report.

The US and Canada have traded escalating tariffs and other measures after broader talks collapsed. Trump followed through on threats to impose 50% levies on billions of dollars in Canadian goods, while Carney retaliated with tariffs of his own on September 8, as per the outlet.

Canada raised duties on many US steel products to 50% from 25% and targeted a range of US consumer goods, the report stated.

Trump then announced additional countermeasures, including bans on certain products and expanded duties.

Mark Carney turns toward closer EU ties

As the dispute with Washington continues, Carney is preparing to travel to Strasbourg to address the European Parliament and attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech, according to a Politico report published on Monday.

Carney said Canada was not seeking EU membership but wanted a closer relationship with the bloc.

“We’re not looking to become a member of the European Union,” Carney told reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival.

“What we are looking — and will begin discussions for — [is] a unique alliance with the European Union,” he said.

He added, “We share the same values, we have the same priorities, and we have very complementary strengths.”

Officials have discussed closer cooperation between Canada and the EU on critical minerals, trade, education, cultural exchanges, digital infrastructure, and Arctic security, as per the report.

Trade dispute strains US-Canada ties

The trade conflict has expanded beyond tariffs, with tensions also touching Canadian sovereignty.

Trump has repeatedly suggested Canada could become the 51st US state and has referred to Carney as a “governor.” 

He also ordered Lake Ontario’s name changed to “Lake America” on US maps.

The dispute has threatened cross-border supply chains relied on by industries including auto manufacturing, while Trump has also threatened to end sales of Canada-based Bombardier Inc jets in the US and questioned the value of Canada’s currency, according to Bloomberg.

Carney’s European outreach follows what he described as “unfair” last-minute US demands that contributed to the suspension of trade talks, as per Politico. 

Brussels has not endorsed the idea of an associate-member status for Canada, while parts of the existing EU-Canada trade agreement still await ratification in several member countries, the outlet reported.