President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on all Canadian imports if Canada enters into a trade agreement with China that he says could allow Chinese goods to enter the United States through Canadian ports.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump said that if Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pursues a deal that would make Canada a “drop off port” for Chinese products destined for the U.S. market, the United States would respond with steep tariffs on Canadian goods.
“If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘drop off port’ for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken. China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life,” Trump wrote.
“If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A.,” the president added.
Trump followed that up later with this post: “The last thing the World needs is to have China take over Canada. It’s NOT going to happen, or even come close to happening! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Trump said any arrangement between Canada and China that facilitates access to the U.S. market would trigger immediate retaliation and asserted that a 100 percent tariff would be imposed on Canadian goods entering the United States.
The statement did not detail specific trade negotiations or agreements currently in progress between Canada and China, but it comes amid increased engagement between Canadian and Chinese officials. Earlier this month, Canadian leaders visited China to discuss a range of trade issues, including tariff reductions on certain imports.
During the visit from January 14 to 17, the leaders of the two nations reached an agreement that would allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles to enter the Canadian market at a lower tariff rate of 6.1%, as announced by Carney’s office.
“At its best, the Canada-China relationship has created massive opportunities for both our peoples. By leveraging our strengths and focusing on trade, energy, agri-food, and areas where we can make huge gains, we are forging a new strategic partnership that builds on the best of our past, reflects the world as it is today, and benefits the people of both our nations,” Carney said in the statement.
Also, by March 1, China is expected to reduce its tariff on Canadian canola seed to a total rate of 15%. According to Carney’s office, Canada anticipates that its canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas will not be subject to relevant anti-discrimination tariffs starting March 1 and continuing at least until the end of this year.
Trump’s comments mark a sharp shift in tone in U.S.–Canada trade relations. Last week, tensions over trade and foreign policy were highlighted during discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Carney spoke about global economic cooperation and diverging policy approaches.
The White House did not immediately provide additional details on the potential timetable or legal mechanisms for imposing 100 percent tariffs if Canada moves forward with a China trade deal.
Canada is one of the United States’ largest trading partners under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). Past tariff disputes between the two countries have involved tariffs on steel, aluminum and other goods, prompting retaliatory measures in 2025.
Carney, just back from his trip to China, delivered a speech that gained international attention. Although he did not mention Trump by name, he made a remark about the U.S., stating that the “rules-based order is fading.” Many, including the U.S. president, interpreted this as a criticism of Trump.
“Every day we’re reminded that we live in an era of great-power rivalry,” Carney said. “That the rules-based order is fading. That the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must.”
