Trump Threatens 100% Tariff Over Canada/China Partnership
President warns Ottawa against serving as conduit for Chinese goods, saying Beijing would “devour” Canada’s economy and way of life; North American tensions resurface after Mark Carney warned of ‘rupture’ in global order at Davos
President Donald Trump on Saturday sharply escalated rhetoric toward Canada, threatening to impose a sweeping 100% tariff on all Canadian imports if Ottawa proceeds with a new strategic partnership with China.
In a series of social media posts, Trump accused Canada of potentially acting as a “drop-off port” for Chinese goods destined for the U.S., a move he said would not be tolerated.
He specifically warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that closer economic alignment with Beijing would leave Canada vulnerable, declaring that “China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it,” undermining its businesses, social fabric, and way of life.
Trump said the tariff threat would take effect immediately if Canada finalizes a deal with China, framing the move as a necessary defense against trade circumvention and Chinese economic influence.
During a four-day visit to China earlier this month, Prime Minister Mark Carney struck an agreement allowing nearly 50,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter Canada at a reduced tariff rate, in exchange for sharp cuts to Beijing’s tariffs on canola and a commitment to eliminate duties on a range of other Canadian products. The pact marked a clear departure from U.S. policy by rolling back a tariff on Chinese EVs that both countries imposed in 2024.
The agreement has raised concerns that Canada could be drifting out of alignment with President Trump’s hard-line approach to China, an agenda he has urged U.S. allies to follow.
| Trump’s 100% Canada Tariff Threat Would Likely Sweep in Potash and Fertilizer, Raising Alarm for U.S. Farmers Why potash/fertilizer would be covered •“100% tariff on all Canadian goods,” as framed by Trump, would by default apply to potash, nitrogen fertilizers, and other ag inputs coming from Canada.• Canadian potash is classified as a good under U.S. customs law and is not automatically protected by national-security or food-security carve-outs.• The U.S. imports roughly 95% of its potash, with Canada supplying the overwhelming majority, making it a major — but not legally shielded — target. What could limit or delay it• Policy carve-outs: The administration could later exempt “critical agricultural inputs” to blunt farm-state backlash.• Phased implementation: Tariffs could be announced broadly but delayed or staggered for inputs like fertilizer.• USMCA complications: A blanket tariff would collide with USMCA, but Trump has repeatedly shown willingness to override or reinterpret trade agreements using national-interest authorities. Practical reality. If implemented without exemptions, a 100% tariff on Canadian fertilizer would:• Double landed potash costs overnight• Hit corn, wheat, soybean, and cotton producers immediately• Feed directly into 2026 fertilizer price inflation, already elevated Bottom Line: Unless the White House explicitly carves out fertilizer, Canadian potash would be swept in under the kind of across-the-board tariff Trump is threatening — even though the economic fallout would be severe for U.S. agriculture |
