Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump continues to stand by his longstanding and contentious belief that Canada would significantly benefit from becoming the 51st state of the United States, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Leavitt addressed queries regarding Trump’s recent silence on the issue. “I would reject the notion that the president’s stance on Canada has changed,” she said. “He simply hasn’t been asked about it recently. But let me be clear, President Trump maintains that Canadians would thrive as part of the United States, particularly given the subsidies the US has provided to bolster Canada’s national defense.”
Trump has repeatedly raised eyebrows with his remarks about America’s northern neighbor, even going so far as to mock former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by calling him the “Governor of Canada.” His comments have fueled debate on both sides of the border over the future of US-Canada relations.
Tariff Talk & Auto Industry Flexibility
Meanwhile, the administration is also navigating complex trade dynamics. Responding to inquiries about potential tariff relief for automakers, Leavitt emphasized the president’s “flexibility” in ongoing global trade negotiations.
“While there’s nothing specific to announce at this time, the president has made it clear that his priority is putting American workers first,” Leavitt said. “He’s been engaging closely with automakers, and they trust his commitment to revitalizing domestic production.”
On Monday, Trump hinted at possible part-specific exemptions for car manufacturers, acknowledging that many companies are transitioning supply chains back to the US from countries like Canada and Mexico. “They’re going to make them here, but they need a little bit of time,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.
The president also reiterated his broader strategy during the press interaction: “I’m very flexible. That doesn’t mean I change my mind; it means I find a way. Whether it’s over, under, or around a wall, I’ll get to the result.”
China Tariff Surge, Global Pause for Trade Talks
In a separate and significant trade move, Trump on April 9 imposed a steep increase in tariffs on Chinese imports, raising them to 125%, a sharp escalation following China’s retaliatory tariff hike from 34% to 84% on American goods.
To offset tension with other trading partners, the president simultaneously announced a 90-day pause and lowered tariff rates for 75 nations currently in trade discussions with US representatives. The gesture appears aimed at creating breathing room for ongoing negotiations and avoiding broader economic fallout.
As tensions continue to mount in both the diplomatic and trade arenas, Trump’s rhetoric, particularly on Canada, is once again placing his administration at the center of international attention.
