Trump says US no longer needs Canadian exports; criticizes trade deficit

‘We don't need them to make our cars, and they make a lot of them. We don't need their lumber, because we have our own forests,' Trump says

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump criticized Canada on Thursday for what he described as an unfair trade imbalance, asserting that America does not need Canadian exports, including cars, lumber and energy.

"We have a tremendous deficit with Canada. We're not going to have that anymore. We can't do it," Trump said in an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "I say you can always become a state, and if you're a state, we won't have a deficit. We won't have to tariff you."

Trump highlighted the longstanding trade deficit with Canada. "We’re going to be demanding respect from other nations ... Canada has been very tough to deal with over the years."

"We don't need them to make our cars, and they make a lot of them. We don't need their lumber, because we have our own forests," he said. "We don't need the oil and gas. We have more than anybody."

Trump previously said that he is planning to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada in February.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned in response that Trump's possible tariffs would raise prices for Americans.

Kaynak: