Furious Canada Freezes Out Trump and Walks Out

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0:30Ben Meiselas:So Canada stuck the dagger in Donald Trump and they twisted it. The trade minister of Canada, Dominique LeBlanc, went on American media and he was asked, so why don't you just remove the retaliatory tariffs? Because the United States trade minister says Donald Trump is really upset that Canada retaliated against the United States after the United States declared a trade war on Canada. And Dominique LeBlanc, the trade minister from Canada, said, look, if a deal happens, We're going to work to put Canada first. That's what we're focused on. Y 'all attacked us in Canada. We're going to do what's right for the Canadian people.

1:06Ben Meiselas:We're disappointed in the way that Donald Trump and Jameson Greer and this regime is behaving. We're going to continue to try to make a deal. We are, after all, the biggest client and customer of the United States, but we're going to protect Canadian interests and we're going to look towards reliable trading partners. So you have to understand the sequence of what went down. So earlier in the day, you had the United States trade representative, basically our version of LeBlanc. And our version is just a complete idiot. This guy, Jameson Greer, he's the guy who talks about, oh, we need to decouple from China, really decouple from China while you attack Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and you don't even allow the Taiwan president to come into the United States.

1:56Ben Meiselas:because Donald Trump got a phone call from Xi Jinping and said, can you not let the Taiwan president come into the United States to go to Central America? Donald Trump's like, anything for you, Xi Jinping, anything for you, Xi. OK, so not exactly a great deal of decoupling taking place, but I digress. Jameson Greer goes on the American media networks and he says, look, here is why we impose those 35 percent tariffs on Canada, on the non-USMCA, United States-Mexico-Glan agreement, compliance stuff. They retaliated against us when we declared a trade war and Donald Trump didn't like that retaliation.

2:34Ben Meiselas:Nobody else retaliated against us. So maybe they removed the retaliatory tariffs against us. Then maybe there's some room. Watch the gaslighting by the United States Trade Representative, Jameson Greer. Here play this clip. Let me ask you about Canada, which is our second largest trading partner. The president increased tariffs to 35 percent. It applies, though, to just about 10 percent of what Canada sells here. Why bother to do this now in the middle of negotiations? So I would say, first of all, early on, the president imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canada, and that was really about fentanyl and border issues, right?

3:14It's a separate regime from the reciprocal tariff. And what did Canada do in response? You know, they talked about helping at the border, and I'm not the drug czar or anything. But what I do know, as the trade guy, is that Canada retaliated. The only other country in the world who retaliated on tariffs was the Chinese. And so if the president's going to take an action and the Canadians retaliate, the United States needs to maintain the integrity of our action, the effectiveness, so we have to go up to... You're talking about the things that the former Prime Minister, Trudeau, put in place, not the current Prime Minister.

3:45And are still in place. They're still in place. But the current prime minister has held off largely on retaliation here. That's the guy you're negotiating with and his team. So what's the strategy here? And aren't you worried that this will hurt the broader free trade deal if you truly do want to renegotiate it next year? I'm not concerned that it's going to complicate things with Canada. Our view is the president is trying to fix the terms of trade with Canada. And if there's a way to a deal, will find it. And if it's not, we'll have the tariff levels that we have.

4:18Ben Meiselas:But folks, as we know, there's always an excuse for the Trump regime to attack Canada. Donald Trump wants to turn Canada into the 51st state. He made it clear what his intentions are. He wants to strip Canadian sovereignty. So if it's not the retaliatory tariffs, what was it earlier last week? It was, oh, Donald Trump even wrote, oh, Canada, why would you recognize the Palestinian state? How are we supposed to get a deal done then? Then he called, then Howard Lutnick made his rounds on Fox state regime media. And Lutnick was like, oh, we were getting so close with Canada. And now you're recognizing the Palestinian state.

4:58Ben Meiselas:I mean, come on, how could you be so tone deaf Canada? Why would you do that? It's just, I know that's my Howard Lutnick impression. Here he is though. watch let Nick saying that. Here play this clip. But Canada, I take it not so much or not so good. Well, imagine like the president truthed out that the Canadians put out, oh, we're going to recognize the Palestinian state. I mean, come on, don't be so tone deaf, right? The president is totally into trying to get peace in Gaza and you're throwing your hat in the ring from Canada. Come on. You know, they still haven't solved dairy. They still have two countries on the whole world retaliated against the United States of America tariffs.

5:43China, which we all know, and Canada. So, you know what? I just don't see the president stepping off the gas. Now, Mark Carney came down, had a really nice lunch with the president when he first got elected. you know if he makes that call and if he starts turning on the charm and if he takes off his retaliation let's you know and stops the silliness maybe the president will let it down a bit but

6:07Ben Meiselas:right now 35 that letter he sent is surely in the cards right so it's all you recognize the palestinian state oh all of that fentanyl you're bringing in right when there's when there's no fentanyl that they're bringing in so it's excuse after excuse after excuse now let me show you Dominic LeBlanc what he had to say. So he was asked by American media, so why don't you just remove the retaliatory tariffs? Come on. Justin Trudeau, the former prime minister, he did it. You'll make us feel good here if you do that. Why don't you do that? And I think, look, Dominic LeBlanc, he was diplomatic about it.

6:43Ben Meiselas:He goes, it'd be great if we can do a deal. But no, we're not going to just, you know, we're defending Canada here. And he said it in a polite way. Here, watch this. You heard Ambassador Greer say Canada, because Canada retaliated to the initial tariffs all the way back in April when Prime Minister Trudeau was in office, you're paying the price now even though you have a new government in place. If that's the issue, why not make that concession and pull back? So Prime Minister Carney, our new Prime Minister, has, we think, built a very business-like, respectful relationship with President Trump.

7:24We think that's obviously very important to Canada and we think to the United States. We're dealing with, take for example, the steel sector in Canada. It's a strategic importance to national security in Canada, as it is for President Trump and the American economy. We now have a situation where there's a 50 % tariff. We're the biggest steel export market for the United States. Right. We have a 25 percent tariff. There's a 50 percent tariff when we want to sell something into the United States. So effectively, we're blocked from doing that. But the national security interest of Canada requires that we have a viable steel and aluminum sector.

8:05And my conversations with Secretary Lutnik and others are that therein lies an example where if we do the right work together, We have, Ms. Brennan, the toughest rules of any country dealing with Chinese dumping into Canada. We have melt and pour tracing so that products coming from other countries with Chinese steel can't be dumped into the Canadian market. So we're looking and advancing ideas where we can do that work with the United States. At the same time, ensuring that our economy continues to have sectors vital to the economic future of Canada.

8:40Ben Meiselas:And then now watch how Dominic LeBlanc also talks about how, you know, he left the United States without a trade deal. He flew back after Donald Trump started posting, oh, you know, oh, Canada, I'm going to, I'm 35 % tariffs. I'm disappointed, but we'll go back. We'll still have a dialogue and we'll see. We're just going to make a deal that benefits Canada. And if a deal doesn't benefit Canada, we're not going to do it. Here, play this clip. So we were obviously obviously disappointed by that decision. We believe there's a great deal of common ground between the United States and Canada in terms of building two strong economies that work well together.

9:20That's been the history of the 40 year free trade agreement that goes back to President Reagan. We were pleased the United States is respecting the terms of the USMCA agreement. that's vital, we think, to the cost of living and affordability, certainly in the United States. It's true in Canada as well. So we're going to continue to do the work. We left always with a better understanding of the American concerns in the trading relationship. Ambassador Greer, Secretary Lutnik engaged with us in constructive, cordial conversations. So we're prepared to stick around and do the work needed. We think, Ms.

10:04Brennan, that the economies of both countries are strengthened when we do things together. The trading relationship between Canada and the United States is unlike other partners. One description, which I thought was very apt, we don't sell things to each other as much as we build things together. And that's why it's difficult in this relationship when so much is integrated. But we remain very optimistic.

10:29Ben Meiselas:And LeBlanc says, look, there could still be some conversations taking place. Here play this clip. Are there any plans for the two leaders to speak? I saw President Trump said your prime minister called him Thursday and they just never connected. I mean, our tensions that high. And given the changing justification for the tariffs, do you really feel like you're negotiating with the other side in good faith? Sure, we do. Of course, we do. As I say, the conversations have been informative, constructive and cordial. I would expect the prime minister will have a conversation with the president over the next number of days.

11:07That's certainly my plan, again, with Secretary Lutnik, recognizing that we think there is an option of striking a deal that will bring down some of these tariffs, provide greater certainty to investment.

11:22Ben Meiselas:Now, I want to remind you as well what the United States ambassador to Canada has also been saying, because this is how the Trump regime feels about Canada. Just a reminder, here he is, Pete Hoekstra. Here's what he has to say. Here, play this clip. Oh, they just slapped a brand new tax on us that we've told them for months is an unfair tax. Oh, by the way, you have 11 out of your 13 provinces who ban American products on their shelves. We haven't banned a single Canadian product in the United States. That's a pretty nasty move. OK, you have a number of your provinces have put in provisions into their procurement process that say, oh, if you're an American company, you can't bid.

12:13That's pretty nasty. But that was in response to the U.S. slapping major tariffs on this country. And exactly right now, what?

12:20Ben Meiselas:So responding is nasty? I'm just trying to get to the heart of this ambassador. Where we are today. And here's what the U.S. ambassador to Canada had to say about the whole 51st state. Donald Trump saying that Canada should be the 51st state. Watch what he says here. Here, play this clip. And I do want to ask you about the 51st state. You had to have known this question was coming because, of course, the president brought it up again over the weekend. And it does seem to come up when things are getting a bit tense and a bit intense. Is Donald Trump using threats against Canada's sovereignty as a negotiating tactic?

12:54It is not a threat. How is it saying that Canada should become a state, he said, we're not a real country before? I think, you know, your prime minister, I forget what he said within the last week or something and said, you know, this is a, he didn't use exactly this word, but a term of endearment. You know, he has said it's a wish, a desire rather than a desire. Term of it. You think it's a term of endearment, Ambassador Hoekstra? Yeah. President Trump doesn't invite people onto his team who he doesn't like, who he doesn't trust, who he doesn't respect. You know, he wants a strong team. So your message to Canadians is they should see this 51st stage talk as a term of endearment.

13:33I, you know, they can see it however they want. Far be it from me to tell Canadians how they should view the president's comments. But the president does not invite people on his team, on America's team, or to grow our team with the belief that by doing so, we're going to weaken America or weaken them.

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15:18Ben Meiselas:If you're looking for a way to take action and support our fundamental freedoms, join Americans United for separation of church and state and their growing movement because church-state separation protects us all. Learn more and join the fight at au.org slash Midas. That's au.org slash Midas. One more time, that's the letter A, the letter U, dot org slash Midas, and you spell Midas, M-E-I-D-A-S. Now, I think Prime Minister Carney realizes that Canada holds a lot of cards. Look, I think he realizes that overwhelmingly the people are with him. They don't want a bad deal to happen. I think he recognized in all of the polls, 60, 70, now close to 80 % of Canadians have a negative view of the United States and the Trump regime, view the U.S.

16:12Ben Meiselas:and the Trump regime as a threat to Canada. I think Prime Minister Carney recognizes that Canada holds close to a trillion dollars in United States treasuries. I think he realizes that Canada is the biggest customer and client of the United States, that the boycott against the United States is crushing tourism in the United States. It's been a beacon to the rest of the world as well to say if Canada can do it, we should do it also, and we should stand up. A tourism boycott, a boycott of American products is really stinging the United States. I think Carney's watching what's happening with the American markets.

16:53Ben Meiselas:He's seeing that the American markets are struggling right now. Very bad jobs report. Systemically, the American market getting weaker. I think Prime Minister Carney also is very attuned to the oral argument that took place before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Donald Trump's ability to declare emergency powers, to declare this trade war against the world, to attack Canada and Mexico and every country, I should add, and that it's likely that this Federal Circuit Court of Appeals will rule against Donald Trump and negate all of the tariffs, which Trump will then whine about. So I think Carney is buying time as well to see what the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals is going to do.

17:42Ben Meiselas:So I think he's watching those factors. But I want to give Carney credit as well, because he's talking with current conservative premiers, leaders of provinces like Doug Ford, and he's listening to what they have to say. So to have a liberal government listen to what conservative voices have to say, and listen to what former prime ministers have to say. Staunch conservative prime ministers who were very pro-America in the past, like Stephen Harper. And I've showed you those clips before as well. So Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, here's what he has to say. Play this clip. Going back to your comments earlier about President Trump and the trade war.

18:23Do you think it's possible for Canada to get a deal with Trump that doesn't include tariffs on certain sectors like auto, steel, aluminum, and energy? and would you be satisfied with the sectoral tariff deal? Well, great, great question. You know it's a problem with President Trump. And, you know, we're united. First of all, I've never seen this country more united, ever, in all my years of being in politics, and it's a great feeling from all provinces, territories, municipalities, and the federal government. But, you know, Prime Minister Carney is trying his best, but this guy will say something one day, and he'll wake up and the cheese slips off the cracker and then all of a sudden he goes the other way.

19:04And you're thinking, how do you deal with a guy like this? Now, are we hoping that we can get a deal with zero tariffs? Yes. But I always say how we can kick back, and it's not the American people kick back at President Trump. Let's start on shoring everything, absolutely everything we possibly can. Like I-beams, those big steel I-beams. I didn't realize we don't make them here until I found out during the trade deal. Or the rails that are beautiful, their cars are going to be made, sorry, the street cars are going to be made down the street. We don't make the rails, so we need to start making rails and start making sure that we make those steel I-beams and aluminum cans.

19:49Now, aluminum cans are my favorite. The Coke, the Pepsi's, all the other beverages, the Molson's, the Labatt's, the craft brewers. We have, we're the kings of aluminum in Quebec. They ship the aluminum down, 25 % tariff. They get printed and formed, 25 % back tariffs. So my question was, why aren't we making aluminum cans here? Now, we're going to be making aluminum cans. They're going to lose a billion dollars worth of business in the U.S. and same with tin cans from DeFasco. Ship it down to the U.S. They get formed. I had a meeting with the big users of the tins. Now we're bringing a line up here and they're going to be losing out on about 1.3 billion cans just on the tin cans.

20:37But we can build anything here. We're an economic powerhouse. You know, folks, we don't have to take a backseat to anyone in the world and we sure the heck don't have to take a back seat to President Trump. He needs to remember, yes, they're our number one customer, but we're their number one customer. You hear about all these deals he's making, he's making, and they're good countries, Japan and Korea. But I'll give you an example with Japan. He said he made this beautiful deal and everything, and God bless him. But they buy$79 billion worth of products U.S. off of the U.S. Canada buys$359 billion U.S.

21:20off the folks south of the border. 9 million Americans wake up every single morning to produce a widget or a good just for Ontario alone. Those 9 million jobs are in jeopardy right now. We buy more products off the U.S. than Japan, Korea, China, the U.K. and France combined. So I wouldn't roll over and I've told the Prime Minister do not roll over hit that guy back as hard as we possibly can and That's what we need to do and we can do it. We can build anything here in Canada absolutely anything from the beautiful trains that we build here to the planes to automobiles to satellites to jet engines And I the list could go on and on and on and our strengths are the people we have the brightest people anywhere in the world right here in Ontario so when everyone goes out another very powerful tool are the people of Canada when you go out and You go to buy a product just flip it around the back and see where it's manufactured and by Canadian when you can anything possible and I got a call one company out that I learned when I was just two days ago I met with all these tin can users and their food products you know is a company called Campbell soup they told me that Campbell soups putting a Canadian flag on their cans they closed their plants here they moved everything down to the US and they put recipe made in Canada what sort of nonsense is that don't let them hoodwink you I'm gonna call them out again I'm gonna show you one of their cans it's unacceptable that they do that you know don't try to pull one over people's eyes Canadians are too smart for that so please when you go shopping I know it's not always possible by Canadian as you as much as you can so well we're gonna win this thing you know one way or another we're gonna go down and we're gonna roll over we'll keep fighting every every single day Right.

23:23Ben Meiselas:Stephen Harper, former prime minister in the mid 2000s to early 2010 ish is 2015, I think. Right. Again, pro-America, like super pro-America. And Harper's like, I was wrong. He goes, if you asked me a year ago, I would have told you lean in, work with the Trump administration. He goes, I was wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Do not do do not make bad deals. And he goes, that's how the rest of the world feels right now. Here, play this clip. Look, I'm just going to put it in this context, just so everyone understands. You know, I was, I think it's fair to say, probably the most pro-American prime minister, Canadian history.

24:08And I tell people that if a year ago the government had asked me, you know, President Trump's coming in. and he's talking about big challenges on trade, USMCA tariffs, what would you advise? I would have said a year ago, this is a real opportunity for Canada to really deepen its economic and security partnership with the United States. However, when this government did actually ask me a few weeks ago my advice, my advice was the opposite. My advice was, yes, you know, on the economy, we've got to kind of get something short-term worked out with the Trump administration. But this really is a wake-up call for this country to truly diversify its trade export markets.

25:08that's why you know that's why we did sign the trade deals all around the world Europe Asia Pacific the Americas and there's and Canada has been to be blunt this is you know nothing against the US the reality is independent of the current disputes Canada has been to use business term and I'm in the investment business now we have been grossly overweight the United States as a country and there is no reason for that just because we have that geographic proximity does not justify the degree of dependence that we have on a single market which is sometimes disadvantageous and the other thing you know in terms of security I my advice the government is yes absolutely spend more on defense we should been doing it all along but let's well we spend a lot more in defense while the border is a shared responsibility.

26:08Let's make sure we spend a lot more on defense so that we can be independently responsible for our own land, seas, and skies, independent of the United States. And I'm just going to tell you right now, one political role I still have, I chair the Global Federation of Conservative Parties, and I can tell you that this is the advice every Allied Capital is getting from everybody like me that they talk to. And this is not ideal, but I just think it's a reality. The cat's out of the bag, you can't, or two paces out of the two, whatever you want to call it, you can't put it back. I, and I think it's unfortunate.

26:49I think in the long term, this will actually, this direction will weaken the free world more than it will, more than it will help it. And it will, I think, ultimately weaken the United States as well. So I think it's unfortunate, but that is the reality of the situation that we have to deal with.