Spiteful Trump Issues Deranged Threat to Allies
Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS Donald Trump has threatened to hit the European Union with heavy tariffs if it moves closer to Canada, after the bloc’s leader said the North American country could become its first associate member.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—Trump’s nemesis north of the border—has been calling for a “unique alliance” between Canada and the EU as relations deteriorate with the U.S.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen embraced the idea during her annual State of the European Union address on Wednesday, with Carney watching from the front row of the European Parliament.
“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen said.
She argued that, amid a “fracture in the international rules-based system,” Europe and Canada should strengthen their partnership.
“Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy,” she added.
“We believe that power does not belong to the strongest, the richest, or the loudest, but to all of us.
That democracies have the freedom to choose with whom to work.” The proposal would expand on the existing Canada-EU free trade agreement, known as CETA, through a broader “Alliance for the Future” focused on economic security and shared prosperity.
The partnership would cover advanced manufacturing, technology, defense production, the Arctic, energy, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, von der Leyen added.
It would also make it easier for Canadians to live and work in Europe.
Although von der Leyen never mentioned Trump by name, her proposal clearly unsettled the 80-year-old president.
Trump responded by suggesting the closer relationship could trigger retaliation from Washington.
“Canada’s been a terrible trade partner,” Trump told reporters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“If I think it’s at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things.” He continued: “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine.
5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.thedailybeast.com — the content belongs to The Daily Beast.
