What is Trump's True Objective with Canada?
An industry leader describes the present situation regarding Canada-U.S. relations as "maximum chaos."
TroibNews 
**OTTAWA — Canada has assured Donald Trump that it will appoint a fentanyl czar and designate drug cartels as terrorists within 30 days. However, the question remains whether these measures will be sufficient to alleviate U.S. tariff threats.**
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and various Canadian business leaders are convening in Toronto on Friday to address the looming economic challenge. There is widespread uncertainty about whether Trump can be appeased.
"It's not clear to a lot of folks at the present time exactly what the president is aiming for,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s national resources and energy minister, stated after three days of discussions in Washington. “Even senior Republican senators are somewhat unclear about some of those issues."
Flavio Volpe, president of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, expressed a desire for clarity on Trump's intentions, saying he would pay "top dollar to figure out, for someone to tell me, what the endgame is." He added, “The current game is maximum chaos.”
This week, Canada and Mexico received a temporary reprieve from tariffs, leading to a collective sigh of relief among Canadian officials and industry leaders. They hope the pause will allow them to present compelling evidence to address Trump’s border concerns, although there is an underlying worry that he might reintroduce tariffs to advance other goals.
“The 30 days is useful,” Defense Minister Bill Blair remarked. “First of all, we’ve got to demonstrate not just good intent. You can’t just announce a bunch of things — you’ve actually got to do them.”
Trudeau announced that, in addition to the C$1.3 billion border security initiative introduced last December, Canada will establish its first-ever fentanyl czar, expand its Criminal Code to categorize drug cartels as terrorists, maintain constant border surveillance, and launch a bilateral joint strike force to tackle organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering.
Trump confirmed the agreement on Truth Social but hinted that all is not yet resolved. “I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30 day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured,” he wrote. “FAIRNESS FOR ALL!”
Various theories have emerged in Ottawa and the Canadian business community about what a “final Economic deal” might entail and what Trump’s ultimate objectives are.
Is this a negotiating strategy? “We don't need them to make our cars. We don't need them to give us lumber,” Trump stated in the Oval Office. “We don't need them for agricultural products, because we have all the agriculture we need.”
U.S. Trade Representative nominee Jamieson Greer affirmed to the Senate Finance Committee that he intends to expedite USMCA discussions, which are not expected to begin substantively until later this year. “Right out of the gate, I expect that we will be looking at the USMCA,” he indicated, noting that U.S. market access for dairy in Canada and corn and energy products in Mexico would be top priorities.
Are the tariffs merely a tactic to generate revenue for America through Trump’s proposed External Revenue Service? Candace Laing, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, asserts this is likely the case. She suggests Trump may be using tariffs to raise funds needed to extend his 2017 tax cuts set to expire this year. “We are spinning, talking about how to address or the threat of tariffs on non-trade issues such as drugs, immigration, redomiciling manufacturing jobs,” Laing remarked.
Is the objective to relocate businesses to the U.S.? Canadian entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson, a member of Trudeau’s Canada-U.S. council, opined that Trump’s motivations seem clear. “Here’s what he wants: He wants money. He wants power. He wants control. It’s that devious, and it’s that obvious,” she commented.
Is Trump attempting to disrupt cross-border auto manufacturing supply chains? Discussions from some suggest he might be trying to undermine Canada’s economy to facilitate its potential incorporation as the 51st U.S. state.
Trump has been vocal about the perceived U.S. trade deficit with Canada, declaring, “We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada,” and suggested in a recent Truth Social post: “Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!” He reiterated that sentiment during a Monday press conference before announcing the tariff pause with Trudeau.
Trump has linked illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking to his motivations, yet the Canadian government points out that less than 1% of migrants and fentanyl imported into the U.S. last year came via the northern border. Trump acknowledged Canada’s C$1.3 billion border security plan but seemed to have just learned of its details.
Blair noted that he was “not sure that information was entirely shared with the president” before his talks with Trudeau. According to Blair, it appears that information was conveyed during those conversations and had a significant impact.
Adam Chapnick, a defense expert at the Royal Military College of Canada, stated that Canadian ministers must keep exerting pressure. “We have to be there in case he turns his head,” he said, emphasizing the importance of being the last voice Trump hears before making decisions.
The tariff reprieve came after Canadian ministers, including Mélanie Joly, David McGuinty, and Marc Miller, actively communicated their border strategy to U.S. officials. They were uncertain if their message would resonate with Trump. Their wait concluded when Trump confirmed the impending tariffs in a public statement.
On Friday, Joly and her cabinet peers held a video conference to address whether their efforts had been in vain. “I’m not in the headspace of President Trump,” Joly acknowledged. “That's why we will continue to work with people that work with him.” She stated that they received positive feedback regarding the border initiative.
Volpe likened the media event to a hostage situation. “But we're all a little hostage to Donald Trump's current version of Narnia.” He stressed that Canadian leaders have no alternative but to continually articulate the economic repercussions of tariffs on American citizens, who elected Trump in hopes of improving their standard of living.
Miller emphasized the need for factual arguments, especially pointing out that Canada actually receives more asylum seekers from the U.S. than vice versa. “Facts or fact-free,” he said, “we certainly have to communicate reality to Americans and to President Trump and his administration.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and various Canadian business leaders are convening in Toronto on Friday to address the looming economic challenge. There is widespread uncertainty about whether Trump can be appeased.
"It's not clear to a lot of folks at the present time exactly what the president is aiming for,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s national resources and energy minister, stated after three days of discussions in Washington. “Even senior Republican senators are somewhat unclear about some of those issues."
Flavio Volpe, president of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, expressed a desire for clarity on Trump's intentions, saying he would pay "top dollar to figure out, for someone to tell me, what the endgame is." He added, “The current game is maximum chaos.”
This week, Canada and Mexico received a temporary reprieve from tariffs, leading to a collective sigh of relief among Canadian officials and industry leaders. They hope the pause will allow them to present compelling evidence to address Trump’s border concerns, although there is an underlying worry that he might reintroduce tariffs to advance other goals.
“The 30 days is useful,” Defense Minister Bill Blair remarked. “First of all, we’ve got to demonstrate not just good intent. You can’t just announce a bunch of things — you’ve actually got to do them.”
Trudeau announced that, in addition to the C$1.3 billion border security initiative introduced last December, Canada will establish its first-ever fentanyl czar, expand its Criminal Code to categorize drug cartels as terrorists, maintain constant border surveillance, and launch a bilateral joint strike force to tackle organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering.
Trump confirmed the agreement on Truth Social but hinted that all is not yet resolved. “I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30 day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured,” he wrote. “FAIRNESS FOR ALL!”
Various theories have emerged in Ottawa and the Canadian business community about what a “final Economic deal” might entail and what Trump’s ultimate objectives are.
Is this a negotiating strategy? “We don't need them to make our cars. We don't need them to give us lumber,” Trump stated in the Oval Office. “We don't need them for agricultural products, because we have all the agriculture we need.”
U.S. Trade Representative nominee Jamieson Greer affirmed to the Senate Finance Committee that he intends to expedite USMCA discussions, which are not expected to begin substantively until later this year. “Right out of the gate, I expect that we will be looking at the USMCA,” he indicated, noting that U.S. market access for dairy in Canada and corn and energy products in Mexico would be top priorities.
Are the tariffs merely a tactic to generate revenue for America through Trump’s proposed External Revenue Service? Candace Laing, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, asserts this is likely the case. She suggests Trump may be using tariffs to raise funds needed to extend his 2017 tax cuts set to expire this year. “We are spinning, talking about how to address or the threat of tariffs on non-trade issues such as drugs, immigration, redomiciling manufacturing jobs,” Laing remarked.
Is the objective to relocate businesses to the U.S.? Canadian entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson, a member of Trudeau’s Canada-U.S. council, opined that Trump’s motivations seem clear. “Here’s what he wants: He wants money. He wants power. He wants control. It’s that devious, and it’s that obvious,” she commented.
Is Trump attempting to disrupt cross-border auto manufacturing supply chains? Discussions from some suggest he might be trying to undermine Canada’s economy to facilitate its potential incorporation as the 51st U.S. state.
Trump has been vocal about the perceived U.S. trade deficit with Canada, declaring, “We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada,” and suggested in a recent Truth Social post: “Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!” He reiterated that sentiment during a Monday press conference before announcing the tariff pause with Trudeau.
Trump has linked illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking to his motivations, yet the Canadian government points out that less than 1% of migrants and fentanyl imported into the U.S. last year came via the northern border. Trump acknowledged Canada’s C$1.3 billion border security plan but seemed to have just learned of its details.
Blair noted that he was “not sure that information was entirely shared with the president” before his talks with Trudeau. According to Blair, it appears that information was conveyed during those conversations and had a significant impact.
Adam Chapnick, a defense expert at the Royal Military College of Canada, stated that Canadian ministers must keep exerting pressure. “We have to be there in case he turns his head,” he said, emphasizing the importance of being the last voice Trump hears before making decisions.
The tariff reprieve came after Canadian ministers, including Mélanie Joly, David McGuinty, and Marc Miller, actively communicated their border strategy to U.S. officials. They were uncertain if their message would resonate with Trump. Their wait concluded when Trump confirmed the impending tariffs in a public statement.
On Friday, Joly and her cabinet peers held a video conference to address whether their efforts had been in vain. “I’m not in the headspace of President Trump,” Joly acknowledged. “That's why we will continue to work with people that work with him.” She stated that they received positive feedback regarding the border initiative.
Volpe likened the media event to a hostage situation. “But we're all a little hostage to Donald Trump's current version of Narnia.” He stressed that Canadian leaders have no alternative but to continually articulate the economic repercussions of tariffs on American citizens, who elected Trump in hopes of improving their standard of living.
Miller emphasized the need for factual arguments, especially pointing out that Canada actually receives more asylum seekers from the U.S. than vice versa. “Facts or fact-free,” he said, “we certainly have to communicate reality to Americans and to President Trump and his administration.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
