Donald Trump told FOX 2’s Roop Raj that Canada has been earning $90 billion a year at the expense of the United States, saying the trade balance favors Washington by a massive margin. He added that the two nations are "getting close to a deal" and that the final agreement should secure lasting benefits for America.
The remarks come after Trump repeatedly warned that Ottawa has imposed hidden tariffs on U.S. goods, a claim he said was uncovered by Washington’s trade inspectors. He argued that Canada’s trade policies have been opaque and that the U.S. has paid more in duties than it has received in reciprocal exports.
Trump declared he is not in a hurry to restart negotiations. "I don't know when we will resume talks," he said, emphasizing that Canada must act honestly for a future agreement to materialize. He added that the administration is waiting for Canada to demonstrate greater transparency before any new round of talks can begin.
No official Canadian response has been issued yet, and the White House has not set a date for resuming negotiations. The next step will likely involve a formal request from Washington to Canada for a transparent review of trade practices, with a view to convening a new round of talks once the latter has addressed the alleged imbalances.