Close Reading

We Americans have been mistreated by Canadians for a long time especially in Quebec. Hunters and fishermen who travel there have been harassed because we are Americans. Trying to whine to us and turn us against our government is futile. We, the vast majority of Americans have voted President Trump into office to do exactly what he is doing. Protecting our rights and businesses by forcing you to play fair. He will accomplish this whether you like it or not. The trade imbalance will become fair and balanced. I would ask your Countrymen to think about our offer of becoming the 51 st state. If not, you will undoubtedly realize that you need US more than we need you! Good luck not starving to death

Im so sick of this clown… i thought you resigned? Its not ok to tariff “our closest friend?”\nYet canada is ripping us off by billions in trade and has zero control of their border? Is that how friends and allies act!!! The us isnt in desperate need of you canada

I want out of this country, I'm watching my retirement lose money. I don't want to be in a trade war, I'm going to have to close my newly opened buisness. I did not vote for this administration, so many of us didn't. I'm sorry world.

The problem here isn't temporary. Tariffs may or may not be. But when Canada, Mexico, and other countries build alternate trade infrastructure and strike deals that exclude America, this becomes near irreversible and will hurt America's economy well after Trumps term. And that's just trade and economy.\n\nThen there are many relationships worldwide which are already affected, and world leaders are poised to move on without America - leaving it isolated. The US is the most powerful country in the world and can survive alone, but even so, no country flourishes without international partnerships that both parties can rely on. Like Putin, nobody can rely on Trumps word.\n\nHe is destroying everything. And the American public are largely sitting back and watching it. \n\nWake up before it's too late.

Trump is attempting to offset his tax cuts by implementing a tax that isn't called a tax. All of the money from the tariffs goes to the government. Trump has mentioned when tariffs were common as supporting what he is doing, but he doesn't add that at that time, there wasn't an income tax, so tariffs were how the government supported itself. Trump, knowing that tariffs are income for the government, is lying to his base so they will accept the increased prices as a necessary evil to battle the bad countries of Mexico and Canada. It will look like his tax breaks aren't hurting as much as they are and price increases will be the fault of the other countries.\n\nTrump is a conniving grifter with no knowledge of how to run a country's economy or international trade. He is gaslighting the American public to cover his own shortcomings.\n\nAlso, if fentanyl is entering the US, why is it the fault of the other countries? It is the job of the US to stop anything on its side of the border. Canada and Mexico do what they can to catch the drugs while inside their respective countries. The tons of cocaine and guns that enter Canada and Mexico from the US are caught by their border services; they don't blame the US for the products getting past their own border agents, and the US takes no responsibility for it making it across the border. Why is it other countries' fault for drugs getting past the US's border agents, but not the fault of the US that guns and drugs are going in the other direction? That is why countries work together, not fight over whose fault it is and try to punish each other.

Starting this trade war is not only the craziest political decision I have seen in my entire life, it destroys the relationship between the US and its closest allies on purpose. A relation that has been built over decades. People and businesses on both sides of the pond will suffer badly from this idiotic agenda for no real reason. The USA is now officially at trade war with the free world.

Canada doesn't practice fair trade with the US. DJT is fixing it. Get over it, we're tired of being screwed.

After a speech like this, discourse and solutions are supposed to follow. It's how we work with peers in school, it's how business allies work.\n\nInstead, Trump may see this as a harsh message and fire up the heat to turn this into a spectacle-- arguments, ego, threats. And then the actions will be reactions and attacks instead of solutions. i think the issue lies in that my statements-- no matter if you're Red or Blue, ring factually correct to Trump\ns behavior. he's not here to save citizens or solve issues. He is here for us to watch his reality TV show-- but it's also our own reality!! \n\nHOW IS THE US AND CANADA IN A TRADE WAR RIGHT NOW IN 2025!? I don't understand!!!

We are angry - with those people who ignorantly voted for Trump and those people who chose not to vote. Not the people who chose to vote democratically to remain a democratic country. We are clear that his real agenda is to use this trade war to attempt to coerce us into becoming the 51st state. For MANY reasons, we will not EVER become part of Trump’s America. We will collectively fight in any way possible, even though we know it will be tough, to prevent it. We also know that there is a bigger picture in that it’s clear that Trump is aligned with Putin in the push to destroy democracy globally in favour of an authoritarian world order that benefits only the ultra rich. Canada, the Ukraine, Greenland and Panama are stepping stones to that end goal.

Heavy hearts here today in Canada??????. Life doesn’t have to be so hard. This is a dark day for us. We really like our neighbors the USA. \nLooking forward to the day we are joined with our fellow neighbors again in fair trade!\nWe will visit you when things are better but not until then.

This is not aggressive towards the US, it's not harsh. This a reasonable response from the leader of a nation that is the victim of Trump's declared trade-war. .. The important word is 'war', not 'trade'.

I've seen the trade numbers.\nU.S. buys a lot more from all these countries than they buy from us....everything combined. Make that make sense. \nIt's time we trade equally and some folks are upset. Make that make sense.\nIf friendships matter, why don't we trade equally?

Many, if not most Canadians, have family and friends in the US. We are more than trade partners and allies. Canadians are not fighting against US citizens. We are fighting with most of you against this tyranny. We will not let those few psychopaths divide the love and friendship between Canadians and US citizens, as it’s obvious that’s what they are trying to do

No winners in a trade war? Guess it’s easy to say when the trade leans in your favor and it’s under attack to equal it out. Must not understand how reciprocal tariffs work. You tax us we tax you. We’re looking for fair trade. Your retaliation is welcoming the escalation of a trade war.

It is a surreal moment when USA has entered into a war with our best friend and ally neighbor Canada, and we don't even know why. Nobody voted for this, did MAGA vote for this? Why on earth we are allowing Trump to do it, why Congress is allowing it, why aren't we on the streets protesting, do we want to wait until it gets worse, or beyond the point of return? Trump is a madman, petty, vindictive, selfish, ignorant and totally brainwashed by Putin and his agenda to divide us. Trump is the Manchurjan candidate, planted to destroy us from within. US at war with Canada, even if is a trade war, is scandalously unprecedented and is treasonous.

There is one winner in the trade war between the US and Canada, the EU, China, Mexico...his name is Vladimir Putin

What tRump is doing has nothing to do with National Security or Trade policies … it’s more to do with rocking the boat to get all focus and attention, he’s a very sick man who surrounds himself with lots of sick people!\nThe big losers in the aftermath are us

The only thing D.T. is doing is ruining everything with his politic. (But I guess we all know about it).\n\nThat's the one whom signed the Free trade agreement between US, Canada and Mexico. The same guy whom now pretexting this agreement is not good for US. \nHe destroys all the friendship with US allies and what has been built for decades.\nIn 4 years, what wil be left over?\n\nAmericans will suffer the incompetence of this guy.\nIf only it was not real, we could either think it's a fiction or a joke, unfortunetly neither of both of them; that's a reality.

Wesley Clark is a tool. \n\nHe knows very well that the US cannot get in a shooting with Russia. Not only due to the possibility of a nuclear exchange, but a shooting conflict with Russia is a golden opportunity for China to take Taiwan and for a full scale war to break out in the Middle East. Not only between Iran and Israel, Egypt has been building up forces near Israel as well. \n\nThe US can’t fight and win a 3 theatre war. Aka WWIII. \n\nEveryone knows these tariffs are about the USMCA, in addition to drugs and aliens. This could have been averted. They know it. They’d rather let their people suffer than give up a favorable trade imbalance for a slightly less favorable trade imbalance. \n\nBut for Trudeau to invoke appeasement knowing the real stakes. And knowing that the only thing preventing hostilities breaking out elsewhere in the world is the US having freedom of action to respond, is shameful. \n\nAnd Wesley Clark, along with the rest of the neocon geopolitical apparatus, being willing to flirt with WWIII because Trump is pulling the plug on their imperial project in Ukraine.. downright traitorous.

Just ban all US import an exports... the only way to win a trade war is not to play

There ARE winners in a trade war. Many Americans want literally nothing to do with Canada after the booing of our national anthem. Not our President, but our anthem. Some will never forgive. We will endure without Canada, say hi to Xi for us.

I just moved from my California home state for the second, but just to let you know Canada i'm with you!! This trade war with these countries, are ridiculous but only to line, and continue to line the pockets of billionaires like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and the tech family..... Trump has tried to stay close to Putin, but no one asks why?? We're not at war with Russia? He's been wanting the wealth Putn has every since he, and his wife visited in 1983.. He loves their minerals, and i ask President Zenlensky, if he signs that mineral agreement be careful how it's worded!!! J D Vance had know right to speak to Zelensky in that manner!! Trump, needed an education in government before he ran for any office, it's laws, etc... he's embarrassing when he speaks, calling other government officers stupid, and the like, like a child in school!! Why doesn't someone fact check Donald Trump vs Joe Biden with the things he's done vs the things Donald did while in office, as Biden knowing the law vs Trump as what he could do as a US President, not running this country like he runs his business!! I'm Georgia now, and still wouldn't voted for that man....!!!

Who cares? Seriously Of course he's upset. Canada relies heavily on the U.S., with about 75% of its exports going to America, making us a major contributor to their GDP. Instead of making other countries richer, we should focus on manufacturing and building here at home. This would keep more money circulating in the U.S., boosting economic growth and strengthening our own GDP. A stronger domestic economy means more jobs, higher wages, and greater financial stability for Americans. Regardless of who’s president, we need fair trade policies that benefit the U.S. just as much as our partners.

Canada you are in a pickle because of your government's ignorance America is your trading partner you cannot survive without us we have too many trading partners wise up little man

the US didnt launch a trade war you stupid fux.. we have had a trade DEFICIT with Canada and just about every other country for YEARS. Trump wants reciprocal trade. congratulations Mr. Prime Minister you just dug your own grave. Canada cannot survive without the US.

The US didn’t start this trade war. An idiot in the White House did. \nHe gullible MAGAts might be supporting him now but that sting is coming directly back at them.

You can say whatever you want when Canada made money from trade deficits with the US of over 60 billion a year.

America first babe, go trade worh someone else will survive without you can you survive without us….good luck bit

even though we are rivals in hockey, we love you because you gave us this sport, come trade with Europe as partners and allies. Sending hi from the Czech Republic!!

There's a trade deficit with Canada.....if you actually think US will be worse in the long run compared to Canada, you would not go on TV like this Trudeau. You would just tariff

Ditch the US, Europe and Asia will take your trade

The problem with Trudeau, is that he bluffs real hard about:\n- the US being dependent in Canada.\n- Canada's trade with the US for the past decades is nothing but just an act of friendly favour to the US.\n- That the US lifeline hangs in the charitable hands of Canada.\n------\nWell, in reality though, this is not the case.\nThe coming weeks, months, and years will speak by themselves.

CNN, is there a reason why you are not equally posting Mexico's response to Trump's tariffs? Mexico is the US'S number one trading partner, and these tariffs will equally effect US consumers. There are now apps that translate from Spanish to English, and subtitles in English that appear at the bottom of the screen. As have been done with other languages on your program

Hey hey hey. The United States didn't launch a trade war. Donald Effing Trump and his Republican lickspittles launched a trade war. Most of us in the U.S. are sick to our stomachs about this attack on our wonderful neighbors to the North. Let's keep the blame squarely where it belongs. Trump, Vance, Rubio, and the list goes on from there.

I was very disappointed with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While I have always been pressed by his superior leadership record and skills especially with his spectacular response to the impending tariffs by travelling to UK and Europe and talking about trading with Europe and East Asian countries.\nWhat a disappointment when he called Putin a murderous dictator. Justin, let’s look at the record of your friends in the West. USA has over decades bombed and killed millions of Muslims in Arab countries. Today the murders continue to go one without a peep from you or your western leader friends. In the last week the US has bypassed Congress to ship billions of dollars of bombs to Israel so Israel can with these US bombs cleanse Gaza. So Israel can steal the Palestinian lands so Trump can built a resort and hotels in these stolen Palestinian lands.\nSo what about Ukraine? Same story, different tactic. NATO with your consent poked the Russian bear for decades before Russia, whose warnings about NATO expansion went unheeded. Russia had no choice but to fight a proxy war with Ukraine as US kept on shipping dollars and weapons to Ukraine ‘to weaken Russia’. When you won the election, Justin, I thought that a younger Canadian whose father was one of the most independent thinking leader, that you would take a history lesson and realize that the US foreign policy over decades has been the cause for so much complicity in so many countries around the world. Listen to Jeffrey Sachs and get your thoughts sorted out.\nListen to Ilan Pappe to know how the country you hug and kiss has murdered and stole Palestinian lands for over 7 decades. I have not once heard from you that Israel should be called out.

It's not a trade war. We are just recouping what we have lost do to the lack of border control on your side, just like Mexico did to use. We don't need you, you need us and our protection.

I'm a proud Canadian, and I'm very proud of our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. We did not want this trade war, but we fully support it. We have been attacked and blindsided by our best ally and friend. Things will never be the same between us! Our former relationship is over. Personally, we have canceled a 3 week road trip to Florida, we will not buy american products in our grocery stores or pharmacies. You have made a big mistake, America. You will also suffer, as will we. But we are tough and stubborn. How dare your gov't try to wreck our country after how we stood beside you for 100 years through 2 world wars, plus Iran hostage crisis and 9-11, among other events. We will not forget what you have done to us. All this, while you kiss putin's ass. You are disgusting! ????????

There you have a good leader. Take notes! \nI think you will ride through this Canada - now trade with us in Europe and you have friends over here. You are wellcome here.

I think the whole Eu stand behind u Canada, and let's make a bigger trade and let Usa stand by itself. And it's a sad day for the people of US. Because soon Usa will be alone because no one can trust that country leadership anymore.

We aren’t fighting, just want fair trade, pretty simple. No more mooching off of the US…sorry.

Canada is my home. I was born here. Canada will pull together. We will survive this and we will make other trade partners as we go on. The world pretty much stands with us and I thank all of you who are doing all you can to stand behind Canada.\nI don't care which country you come from. If you stand with Canada and are a friend of Canada then you are a friend of mine.\nAn enemy of my enemy is my friend. May God bless you all.

Prime Minister Trudeau when you start out your speech please stat half of America wants to have a trade war with us: because the other half of Americans does not want to have a trade war with Canada. I have been to Canada a hundred times in my lifetime since I live close to the Canadian border and I've always respected Canadian sovereignty also, that Canadian is our best partner and friend. Keep calling out TRAITOR TRUMP, the MAGA ACOLYTES and the so-called Republican party GOP that PLACE Putin over Canada. I don't know what Putin has over TRAITOR TRUMP or how much vested interest TRAITOR TRUMP is getting from Putin. The Canadian border is the largest undefended border in the world. To our mutual friends sorryl about this AUTOCRAT.

No you believe in us protecting you for free for forever. And it’s over. You are crippling yourselves Canada. And again, you must have a team of moderators that crowd source opinions and use mine often to prepare you for your next speech. I am but one intelligent Hoosier calling these moves… you really will be losing seafood here next ;). Trade war is hardly 25%, and the tariffs were meant to be reciprocal anyways XD so wooo, big move. Weren’t you facing fraud charges or something just recently cuz you stole from your own people?

Not surprised. Trump, you're an idiot. You will lose all your allies and significant trade lanes because you have no idea how to run your country and negotiate. Your economy and people will suffer. If you isolate US from the rest of the world, who will come to your aid if Russia decides to take you over? Where will the Americans flee to? Mexico?

From Japan, to our friends in Canada.\n\nSurely, we in Japan will also be forced to face a trade war similar to what you, our Canadian friends, are experiencing.\nNo, perhaps it has already begun—perhaps we are merely on the verge of its full-scale escalation.\n\nCanadian friends, your leader has shown a resolute stance against the U.S. government. Please take pride in this. The American left will surely boo him harshly once again, but this is what a true statesman should be. With dignity and composure, he made a difficult decision—not because he wanted to, but because he had to—fully aware that it would bring pain to both nations’ citizens.\n\nCan our own Japanese leaders take such a firm and resolute stance? That, I do not know.\nBut I offer my deepest respect.\n\nAmerica is no longer a protective guardian to us.\nWe must defend our own nation by ourselves.\nThis has become clearer than ever.\n\nPeople of Canada, let us remain strong together.\n\nWith deepest respect and prayers from Japan.

Trump is a Manchurian Candidate, a Russian agent planted in the WH! Putin is controlling USA, and destroying US from within. Let that sink in! And why are the Democrats still silent? Are they still shell-shocked!?! Canada should trade now with EU!

Trump is obviously transferring most of US assets in East and Southeast Asia. While we are seeing bad trade news after another, this is only focused mainly on Western countries.\n\nJapan and Taiwan recently pledging billions of USD as investments are one of the indications that Trump is relocating its financial and possibly military support to Asia. Philippines will also be conducting a meeting with him and I think he would have defense and economic deals with our country as well.\n\nCanadian and Mexican economies would indeed suffer while European security would be in danger with the US pulling out of NATO soon. But we are seeing an indication that the trade and defense assistance is being transferred to Pacific Asia for some reason. This would mean the economic repercussions would not bring down the US to its knees, but it would still be pretty significant early on since Asian markets would take a while to develop.

You wanna work with us but we give you Canada an extra 200 billion after all the trading is all said and done we stimulate your economy we help your economy

Canada must diversify its trading partners now and in the future.Let this on going trade war be a lesson to us.\nSupport our country,let's buy Canadian products only.We shall survive the wrath of the DEVIL FROM THE SOUTH.

Imagine if Trudeau announced that he would be pausing the carbon tax on the Canadian people to help offset some of the costs imposed on us by the United States. Do I respect that he is standing up for Canadians...Yes! Is Donald foolish in creating a trade dispute between his closest friends and Allies...Yes! Who's going to suffer....everyone! Government screwing over the people continues as it always have.