“The way it is.” Trump says that Canada's prime minister cannot do anything today to lower the tariffs

Cnn
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President Donald Trump said in his first Oval Office meeting with the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that nothing Carney could say to him that would convince the president of reducing the tariffs for Canadian goods.

“No,” said Trump. “The way it is.”

Trump complained that Canada had treated the United States unfairly. In a social contribution to the truth before he met Carney, the President repeated some of his previous symptoms about the country.

“Why does America Canada subsidize by $ 200 billion a year and not only offers you free military protection and many other things?” Trump stated an unfounded claim. “We don't need your cars, we don't need your energy, we don't need your wood, we need nothing other than your friendship.”

Trump's “200 -billion dollar -claim” is not even close to True. Official US statistics show that the deficit of 2024 with Canada was 35.7 billion US dollars in goods and service trade.

In the meantime, Canada was the top buyer of American goods last year.

Carney recognized that Canada is “the largest customer in the United States”, so it would benefit the United States to restore free trade with its northern neighbor. But he agreed that a trade agreement would probably not be announced on Tuesday due to her discussions.

Although the United States import more from Canada than from export, the two countries have determined mutual advantages of trade – in particular raw materials and products that are not located in both countries.

In contrast, Trump's tariffs on Canada are ready to violate both countries. At the moment, most of the Canadian goods that are exported to the USA are subject to a tariff of 25%, if they do not correspond to the US Mexico Canada Agreement, a trade agreement that has colored Trump during his first term. There are also 25% tariffs for steel, aluminum, cars and car parts.

Canada charges US goods worth around 43 billion US dollars, including whiskey, sports equipment and household appliances.

Although Trump said it was “much better for Canada” to become an American state, Carney to Trump said: “Canada is not for sale.” The Prime Minister said that this had not been done for the negotiation – but asked the president to work with him to negotiate lower tariffs.

“Respectfully that the Canadians' view does not change the fact that the 51st state is located,” said Carney. “Is there one thing (I can say)? No, this is a bigger discussion. There are much bigger strength, and that will take some time and some discussions, and that's why we are here – this discussions.”

Trump admitted that a deal that takes Canada to the fold of the United States would not happen on Tuesday.

“This is not necessarily a one -day deal,” said Trump. “This is over a certain period of time that you have to make this decision.”

But Trump had previously said in the Oval Office meeting that he was open to a negotiation with Canada that could lead to a trade agreement.

“Something could happen,” said Trump. “Something could happen. Yes.”

This story has been updated with additional developments and context.