Canada is being taught a 'little lesson' in trade war, Trump says
· Toronto Sun
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We need to be taught a lesson.
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That was the message Wednesday from U.S. President Donald Trump, who during an event at the White House took aim at Canadian political leaders, accusing them of taking advantage of years of “stupid leadership” in the United States prior to his administration.
“We were so stupidly run, they allowed other countries to make our cars and sell them to us,” Trump said, deviating from his prepared remarks during an event commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month.
“They came from Japan, they came from South Korea, they came from Mexico, they came from Canada — Canada has taken advantage of us for so many years, the worst of any country.”
Canada’s auto sector feeling pressure
As Canada’s auto sector enters the final quarter of the fiscal year, pressure caused by the Trump White House’s trade war is mounting.
Following the collapse of trade talks in August, Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles and parts from 25% to 50%, starting on January 1.
Industry leaders warn this move would upend cross-border supply chains and increase assembly costs on both sides of the border.
Prime Minister Mark Carney warned of retaliation if Trump went that route, while union officials described the threat as an intimidation tactic meant to force Canada into making more concessions at the bargaining table.
As a result of the trade war, recently released industry tracking data from J.D. Power Canada shows U.S.-built vehicles accounted for a little over 28% of new car sales in Canada in the first half of this year — down 7% from the first half of 2025 and well below historic averages of around 40%.
To avoid American tariffs, automakers are bypassing U.S. assembly lines and instead supplying Canadian showrooms with cars made in other countries — with 22% sourced from plants in Mexico, 17% from Japan, and 16% from South Korea.
Analysts say cars made in Mexico could easily eclipse the U.S. as Canada’s top source of imported cars and trucks next year if retaliatory tariffs remain.
Trump trade advisor on Canada: “Just can’t trust them”
While Trump maintained his love for Canadians during his speech — name-dropping Wayne Gretzky and his wife — he said Canada’s leaders bear the blame for the current trade conflict.
“The leaders have taken advantage of our stupid leadership for many, many years — they felt emboldened,” Trump continued.
They charge our farmers 400% tariffs, and they act like they’re totally innocent, they’re not. They were very bad. But now they’re being taught a little lesson.”
Trump wasn’t the only American official to lament Canadian leadership this week.
The Sino twins, Carney & Ford, can bash Trump and make headlines. But they’re still going to lose the trade war.
— Peter Navarro (@RealPNavarro) September 30, 2026
The good people of Canada deserve better. pic.twitter.com/oPXKhyh4dr
Speaking Tuesday during C-SPAN’s American Growth Summit, Trump Trade Advisor Peter Navarro said Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford — whom he referred to on Twitter as “The Sino Twins” — are prioritizing political gains made by bashing Trump over the best interests of the Canadian people.
“Mark Carney and Doug Ford just talk trash about Donald Trump … and then they go up in the polls and they think that’s a winning strategy,” he said.
“We look at that and go, ‘Oh, that’s not smart, okay, do your thing. You got tariffs now, what are you going to do?'”
He accused Canada’s negotiation teams of being less than forthcoming.
“I love the Canadian people, I do not love the Canadian negotiators,” he said.
“You just can’t trust them.”