WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Canada Sunday as he defended his tariff policies, accused the country of taking advantage of the United States and urged Canadian companies operating in the U.S. market to move their businesses south of the border.
Trump made the remarks in two posts on Truth Social as trade tensions between the two countries continued to escalate following the collapse of recent negotiations.
Trump said tariffs have strengthened the U.S. auto industry and credited the policies with keeping American manufacturing plants open.
“When I announced that I was running in the 2024 Presidential Election, right at the beginning, Ford was getting ready to close their Big Factory, in Detroit,” Trump wrote.
He claimed the Ford plant now operates around the clock and ranks among the world’s most profitable auto plants.
Trump also cited General Motors and other automakers as examples of companies he said benefited from his tariff policies.
Trump then turned his criticism toward Canada, calling it one of the United States’ worst trade offenders.
“One of the Worst Abusers is Canada,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want Canadian cars, I don’t want Canadian parts, I don’t want Canadian anything.”
He accused Canada of taking advantage of the United States for decades and said the situation would change.
Trump also criticized Canada’s leadership and said the country should not expect treatment similar to that of a U.S. state.
In a separate post minutes later, Trump urged Canadian companies that do business with the United States to relocate their operations to the U.S.
“Let all Canadian Companies that are doing business with America move to the United States, immediately,” he wrote, adding that companies that return would avoid tariffs.
The comments came after the United States imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods on Aug. 22 following the breakdown of trade talks.
Canada plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on roughly $20 billion in U.S. imports starting Sept. 8.
The escalating trade measures have increased tensions between the two longtime allies and major trading partners.
The White House, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
