U.S. President Donald Trump described Canada as the “most difficult” country to deal with, placing it ahead of China and Vietnam in his latest criticism of trade relations between Washington and Ottawa.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump was asked which country he considered the most difficult to negotiate with. He said some might choose China or Vietnam, but added: “No, actually, it’s Canada.”
Trump Accuses Canada of Taking Advantage of the U.S.
Trump accused Canada of taking a tougher approach in its dealings with Washington, pointing to what he described as an imbalance in trade relations between the two countries.
He said Canada “needs us, and we don’t need them,” arguing that the United States had been taken advantage of for years and that it was time to end what he characterized as an unfair situation.
Trade Tensions Rise Between Washington and Ottawa
Trump’s remarks come amid growing trade tensions between the United States and Canada. In late August, his administration announced tariffs on a range of Canadian goods after negotiations between the two countries over a trade agreement stalled.
The Canadian government responded by imposing tariffs on a number of U.S. exports, further escalating tensions between the two major North American trading partners.
