Trump Warns Canada of ‘100 Percent’ Tariffs if China Trade Deal Opens Backdoor to U.S. Market
President Donald Trump, the current President of the United States, issued a sharp warning to Canada on Saturday, signaling that his administration would respond forcefully if Ottawa moves forward with any trade agreement that allows China indirect access to the American market.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump made clear that the United States would not tolerate Canada becoming a transit point for Chinese goods destined for U.S. consumers. He warned that any such arrangement would trigger immediate and sweeping economic consequences.
“If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘drop off port’ for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken. China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life,” Trump wrote.
The president followed that statement with a direct policy threat, underscoring the seriousness of his position.
“If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A.,” the president added.
Trump later reinforced his stance with another post, emphasizing that the United States would act decisively to block Beijing’s influence in North America.
“The last thing the World needs is to have China take over Canada. It’s NOT going to happen, or even come close to happening! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
According to Trump, any agreement that facilitates Chinese access to U.S. markets—whether directly or indirectly through Canadian ports—would be viewed as a hostile trade maneuver and met with immediate retaliation in the form of a blanket 100 percent tariff on Canadian imports.
While no formal Canada–China trade agreement has been finalized, the president’s remarks come amid growing engagement between officials from Ottawa and Beijing. Earlier this month, Canadian leaders traveled to China to explore expanded trade cooperation, including tariff adjustments and market access for key industries.
From January 14 to 17, officials from both countries reached an agreement that would allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles to enter Canada at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1%, according to announcements from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office.
Carney framed the outreach to China as an economic opportunity, arguing that closer cooperation could benefit both nations.
“At its best, the Canada-China relationship has created massive opportunities for both our peoples. By leveraging our strengths and focusing on trade, energy, agri-food, and areas where we can make huge gains, we are forging a new strategic partnership that builds on the best of our past, reflects the world as it is today, and benefits the people of both our nations,” Carney said in the statement.
Additional concessions are expected as early as March 1, when China is projected to reduce its tariff on Canadian canola seed to a total rate of 15%. Canadian officials also anticipate that canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas will be exempt from certain anti-discrimination tariffs through at least the end of the year.
Trump’s warning signals a tougher posture toward Canada compared to prior trade disputes, including earlier clashes over steel and aluminum tariffs under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), which led to reciprocal measures in 2025.
Tensions were already evident last week during discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Carney spoke broadly about global economic realignment and shifting power dynamics. Although he did not mention Trump by name, his remarks were widely interpreted as a critique of U.S. leadership.
“Every day we’re reminded that we live in an era of great-power rivalry,” Carney said. “That the rules-based order is fading. That the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must.”
The White House has not yet released details on the specific legal mechanisms or timeline that would be used to impose the proposed tariffs if Canada proceeds with a China trade deal. However, Trump’s message leaves little doubt that his administration is prepared to act swiftly to protect American sovereignty, workers, and markets from what it views as Beijing’s expanding global influence.