President Donald Trump has escalated the trade conflict with Canada, stating that Ottawa will no longer be treated as a "state" and announcing a new tariff threat, according to France 24. The comments mark a sharpening of the ongoing commercial dispute between the two nations.
In a separate report, Le Monde stated that Trump has threatened to impose a 50% tax on cars produced in Canada, with the measure set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The announcement adds to a series of punitive trade measures that have strained relations between the neighboring countries.
The escalation has drawn a defiant response from Canadian officials and citizens. Mediapart reports that Canada is rebelling against what it describes as Trump's commercial diktat. Meanwhile, Le Point highlights anger among Quebec residents, who have rejected what they call Trump's "blackmail," with one quoted as saying, "We are not going to change our nature. No way!"
Courrier international reports that the friction extends to diplomatic interactions, characterizing Trump as having demanded a "droit de cuissage" — a feudal right of the lord over his vassals — over Canada, a demand that Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly rejected.
The trade dispute appears rooted in Trump's repeated questioning of Canada's sovereignty and its status as an independent nation, a stance that has alarmed Canadian leaders and the public alike. The new tariff threat specifically targets the automotive sector, a key component of the Canadian economy and cross-border trade.
As the January 2027 deadline approaches, the key question is whether Carney's government will seek a negotiated compromise or continue its firm resistance against Washington's demands.
