‘There is no pursuit of a free trade deal with China,’ says LeBlanc in response to Trump

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is pushing back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose 100 per cent tariffs if Canada makes a free trade deal with China, saying there is no such deal in the works.

Minister for Canada-U.S. Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, took to X to direct his response.

“As the Prime Minister said this week, Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in our economy and security — and we will remain focused on ensuring the future of that relationship will benefit workers and businesses on both sides of our border,” LeBlanc wrote.

“There is no pursuit of a free trade deal with China. What was achieved was resolution on several important tariff issues,” he added. He was referencing Carney’s recent trip to China which will lead to temporary tariff relief on Canadian canola, lobster, crabs and peas in exchange for the importation of a limited amount of Chinese-made electric vehicles.

“Canada’s new government is building a stronger Canadian economy, with a plan that is building our strength at home and strengthening our trading partnerships throughout the world,” concluded LeBlanc.

On Saturday morning, Trump went on a tirade against “Governor Carney” on a social media post, claiming that “China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life.”

“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.,” he wrote.

Later, Trump had seemingly toned down his attacks on Carney, instead expressing concern that China would invade Canada.

“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!”

The U.S. president’s threat to slap Canada with new tariffs is the culmination of a tense week between both countries following a largely noticed speech by Carney in Davos.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, Carney declared that the old rules-based international order was dead and exhorted middle powers, such as Canada, to band together against bullies and “hegemons” which he did not call out by name.

Trump took issue with the comments, saying in a speech of his own in Wednesday that Canada should be more “grateful” to its neighbour and that it “lives” because of the U.S.

“Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he said.

But Carney did not back down, and instead offered a polite rebuttal to Trump in a subsequent speech ahead of his cabinet retreat in Quebec City: “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”

Hours later, Trump rescinded Carney’s invitation to join his “Board of Peace.”

National Post calevesque@postmedia.com

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