The Trump Administration has threatened sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods if Ottawa deepens trade engagement with China, escalating tensions between the US and Canada following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to Beijing.
US President Donald Trump has warned that Canada could face serious consequences if it moves forward with closer trade ties with China.
In a post on Truth Social on 24 January 2026, Trump said he would impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian goods entering the US if Canada proceeds with what he described as a trade deal with China. He claimed such a move would severely harm Canada’s economy, businesses, and social structure.
“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. If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff on all Canadian goods and products entering the U.S.A. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”, Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump’s comments came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China in an effort to improve relations and address trade tensions. Following the trip, Canada and China reached agreements on several trade-related issues, given that China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the US.
Canadian officials have since pushed back on Trump’s characterisation. Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for US-Canada trade, clarified that Canada is not seeking a free trade agreement with China, but rather resolved specific tariff disputes during the visit.
The sharp warning from Trump highlights a growing strain in US-Canada relations, which have also been affected by Carney’s recent criticism of Trump’s stance on Greenland.
