On Tuesday, Ontario’s populist premier, Doug Ford, said he would “double down [on the US liquor ban] if we have to”, adding: “You want to fix it? Get rid of the tariffs.”
Trump’s latest tirade reflects his apparently growing concern over Carney’s plans to step up trade with China – a move the president initially praised.
Last month, he said he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it follows through on a trade deal with China.
“China … will eat Canada alive,” Trump wrote on Monday, adding: “The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.”
Canadians poked fun at Trump’s bizarre claim that China would force Canada to give up both its national pastime and the professional hockey’s most coveted trophy as part of a trade deal with Beijing.
“if trump knew puck he’d know canada hasn’t had to worry about the stanley cup for a couple decades now,” wrote one user on X, a nod to Canada’s failure to win the top prize since 1993.
“Whether this proves real or simply threatened to keep uncertainty high – blocking or barricading bridges is a self-defeating move,” Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.
“Through decades of collaboration, Canada and the United States build things together, create jobs together and compete globally together.”
Comedian Mark Critch summed up a weary disbelief among Canadians: “Saying we can’t cross a bridge is epic troll behaviour.”