President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Canada on Sunday, accusing the country of “ripping” the U.S. off “for decades” as he defended his tariff policies and urged Canadian companies to move their operations south of the border.
In back-to-back Truth Social posts Sunday afternoon, Trump first credited tariffs with strengthening the U.S. auto industry and 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.
Trump claimed the plant is now “running 24/7” and has become “one of the most profitable Car Plants in the World.”
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“There are many other examples, for both Ford, General Motors, and others. I’ve revived, and indeed saved, the Automobile Business in our America. That’s because of what I’ve done with TARIFFS,” he said.
Trump then shifted his focus to Canada, describing the longtime U.S. ally as one of the country’s “worst” trade offenders.
“One of the Worst Abusers is Canada. I don’t want Canadian cars, I don’t want Canadian parts, I don’t want Canadian anything. They’ve been ripping us off for decades, and it’s going to stop,” Trump wrote.
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“This should have happened long ago with other Presidents, just as stopping Iran should have happened long ago,” he continued. “They want to be treated like a State, but they aren’t one. I deal with the Leadership of many Countries, but I find Canada to be the worst. They are entitled no longer!”
Minutes later, Trump followed up with another post urging Canadian companies that do business with the U.S. to relocate their operations south of the border.
“Let all Canadian Companies that are doing business with America move to the United States, immediately. Many of them are Companies that moved out years ago due to stupid U.S. Leadership. When you move back, there are no TARIFFS!” Trump wrote.
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The president’s comments come amid escalating trade tensions between the two longtime allies.
U.S. tariffs of 50% on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods took effect Aug. 22 after trade talks collapsed. Canada retaliated with tariffs on roughly $20 billion in U.S. imports that are set to take effect Sept. 8, according to Reuters.
The White House, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors did not immediately respond to requests from FOX Business for comment.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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