Without America subsidizing Canada it would cease to "exist as a viable country," according to President Donald Trump, who repeated his call for Canada to "become our cherished 51st state."
"We pay hundreds of billions of dollars to subsidize Canada; why? There is no reason," Trump posted Sunday on Truth Social as he unleashed his 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada and 10% from China.
Trump continued his push for Canada to join the U.S. as a state, saying its people would benefit from "much lower taxes," "far better military protection," and "no tariffs!"
"We don’t need anything they have," Trump's post continued. "We have unlimited energy, should make our own cars, and have more lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable country. Harsh but true!
"Therefore, Canada should become our cherished 51st state. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!"
Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose stiff tariffs, declaring an economic emergency in order to place duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada.
Energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, would be taxed at a 10% rate.
"The actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a somber tone as he announced his country would put matching 25% tariffs on up to $155 billion in U.S. imports, including alcohol and fruit.
Information from The Associated Press was used to compile this report.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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