Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolly has told the BBC President Donald Trump’s remarks that he will make Canada “very seriously” put Canada in his country’s 51st state.
“This is no longer a joke,” Jolie told Newsnight. “There’s a reason why Canadians are booing the American national anthem when they go out to hockey games… We’re insulted. We’re angry. We’re angry.”
Her comments come after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on products that entered the US from Canada on Tuesday. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it “what to do” and announced retaliatory tariffs.
But U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said Trump would “probably” announce a deal to reduce tariffs.
In response, Jolie told the BBC, “At the end of the day, it’s only President Trump who will really make a decision.”
She said the Trump administration’s secretary had not contacted Canadian counterparts on Monday or Tuesday about customs duties.
Trump announced 25% tariffs in Canada and Mexico on February 4th, but delayed implementation until March 4th. Canada’s energy imports face 10% tariffs.
Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford said he would consider cutting off Canadian electricity exports to three U.S. states with a 25% extra charge and if tariffs escalate, Michigan, New York and Minnesota.