CBC Lite Sections News • World WORLD Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Canadian goods as Carney carries on with trade strategy Posted: January 24, 2026 3:33 PM | Last Updated: 14 hours ago Following threat, Carney posts ad saying Canada's focused 'on what we can control' Embed | Trump threatens 100% tariffs on all Canadian goods if Canada strikes deal with China Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. The Latest The Latest * U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods if the country "makes a deal with China," though Ottawa has said it is not pursuing such an agreement. * Prime Minister Mark Carney later posted an ad online reiterating that the government's response to economic threats will continue to be focusing on what it can control. * Ministers on Parliament Hill today acknowledged the threat is serious, but they said it only confirms Canada needs to stay the course with its strategy to move trade dependency away from the U.S. * The threat was the president's latest swipe at Canada after Carney's trade visit to China and his highly publicized speech in Davos, Switzerland. Updates 14 hours ago All things considered, a muted response from Ottawa Benjamin Lopez Steven Image | CHINA-CANADA/ (Carlos Osorio/Reuters) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab Despite the magnitude of Trump's statement, the federal government sounds pretty unfazed (at least publicly) by the president's latest threat. It's worth noting that Trump has often made bold threats, then either climbed down on them or let them lie. For example, the U.S. president never returned to the threat he made in October to hike "the tariff on Canada" by 10 per cent over an Ontario anti-tariff advertisement. For the duration of Trump's second term in office, Canadian officials have said they won't respond to every single statement — especially in a knee-jerk fashion. Today's events likely fall under that philosophy. Nevertheless, we're still eager to hear from the prime minister. After Carney's bold speech in Davos (which likely provoked this latest tariff threat), where does Canada go next with the U.S.? And will the events of this week harm Canada when it has to renegotiate the North American free trade agreement? We're concluding our live coverage for today, but we'll put those questions to Carney — and more — when we next get the chance. 15 hours ago Saskatchewan premier says Trump threat further erodes free trade Alex Kozroski In a statement to CBC News today, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said Trump's latest threat "is further degradation of the free and fair-trade system we took for granted for decades." Moe's statement said Canada "must continue to be pragmatic when dealing with other countries" and "work together to secure the best trade deals wherever possible." He praised the China-Canada trade deal in his statement, and also said Canada has to work to maintain CUSMA, calling it "a good deal not only for Canada, but for North America." 15 hours ago Liberal MP Wayne Long echoes Carney’s message about economy Holly Cabrera Wayne Long, secretary of state for the Canada Revenue Agency and financial institutions, said this afternoon that Canada must focus on building its resilience and becoming "less reliant." He told Olivia Stefanovich, senior reporter for CBC's parliamentary bureau, that Canada needs to "strengthen our economy, and we’re doing that." Asked whether CUSMA has a chance at surviving, Long said, "Things change on a weekly basis, so I think, for us, it's important just to focus on what we can control." 15 hours ago What's next with CUSMA? Holly Cabrera Embed | Trump says CUSMA is 'irrelevant,' targets auto trade with Canada Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. The Canada-U.S.-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA) is up for mandatory review this year. Canada has been working to strengthen its bilateral ties with Mexico as both countries prepare to enter negotiations and attempt to extend the trilateral trade agreement with the U.S. beyond its 2036 end date. Trump dismissed CUSMA last week, calling it "irrelevant." "There's no real advantage to it," he said, but added that Canada “wants it. They need it.” Major U.S. automakers have called on the ‍Trump administration to extend CUSMA, ⁠saying it is crucial to American ​auto production. 16 hours ago Carney publishes 'Buy Canadian' video Holly Cabrera Carney has now published a pre-taped, campaign-style video on social media about buying and building Canadian to combat economic threats from other countries, without naming the U.S. "With our economy under threat from abroad. Canadians have made a choice: to focus on what we can control," Carney said at the beginning of the video. Though Carney doesn't mention the U.S. directly, the nearly minute-long advertisement ends with the prime minister saying, "We can't control what other nations do. We can be our own best customer. We’ll buy Canadian. We'll build Canadian." 17 hours ago Anya Zoledziowski Provincial politicians have also begun weighing in. Online, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Canada will never be taken over by anyone — "Not by China. Not by Trump." B.C. Premier David Eby posted on X with a note of support for Carney: "You're on the right path, Mark," Eby said. "British Columbia has your back." 17 hours ago Ottawa keeping its focus on its own plans, ministers say Anya Zoledziowski Image | Caucus 20251203 (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller briefly spoke with reporters in Ottawa and offered a quick response to Trump's threat: "It is what it is," Miller said. "You have to take these things seriously, but we're not negotiating a free trade agreement with China, so, you know, it's a serious statement, we'll take it seriously, but we have to control what we control," he said. The Liberal government has repeatedly said it's aiming to diversify into new markets around the world and rely less on the U.S. "We've got to focus on making sure that we take care of things at home ... The last couple of months in particular have demonstrated to us that the plan we broadcasted is the right one," Justice Minister Sean Fraser said today. "Interesting and challenging times ahead for the Canadian economy," Fraser said, before he voiced confidence in his party's ability to navigate the challenges. 18 hours ago Canada focused on maintaining relationship with U.S., LeBlanc says Holly Cabrera Image | Cda-US-LeBlanc-USMCA 20251211 (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab In a statement, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada is not pursuing a free trade agreement with China. “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. 18 hours ago Trump posts about Canada again Anya Zoledziowski In his latest Truth Social post, Trump said: "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!" It's unclear why he believes that a Canada-China deal would result in a takeover, particularly as multiple Canadian politicians have said they support improved ties. Earlier this week, even Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre voiced restrained support for Carney's Davos speech before reiterating what he'd do differently from the Liberals. "Prime Minister Carney’s well-crafted and eloquently delivered speech at Davos has been widely noted, and I want to start by offering some praise of my own," Poilievre said in a statement . "Of course, we have to trade with China, as we always have, but without losing our compass or national security." 19 hours ago What does Trump mean by 'if' Canada makes a deal? Anya Zoledziowski Image | DAVOS-MEETING/ (Denis Balibouse/Reuters) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab In his Truth Social post, Trump implied that Canada and China haven't actually struck a deal yet. Carney and China's Xi Jinping signed a deal last week — but it's a far cry from a deal like the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which is supposed to promote free trade. "There is no free trade deal that's been signed or even being considered right now," said Fen Osler Hampson, a Carleton University professor of international affairs. "The agreement we signed with the Chinese simply restored the pre-tariff war status quo on select goods — like canola and EVs." Importantly, the professor noted that Canada and China have maintained some tariffs, including China's 15 per cent tariff on Canadian canola and Canada six per cent tariff on Chinese-made EVs. "That's not free trade — anything but," Osler Hampson told CBC News Network. He noted what he described as "stunning ... hypocrisy" in the Trump administration, as the U.S. signed its own deal with China a few months ago. 19 hours ago Rhianna Schmunk One week ago today, Trump threatened a group of European countries with a fresh round of tariffs — though a lesser 10 per cent, not 100 — if those countries didn't support his bid to take control of Greenland. He withdrew the threat four days later, after he said he had reached the "framework of a future deal" with NATO over Arctic security. 19 hours ago Tariffs — or the threat of tariffs — have been a repeat strategy for Trump Anya Zoledziowski Embed | Why Trump keeps making big threats — then backing off Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Hey all! I'm Anya Zoledziowski, a senior writer with CBC's news desk. For nearly a year, Trump has been using tariffs — or the threat of them — as a major strategy when negotiating with other countries, including typical U.S. allies. So, today's news likely doesn't carry that shock and awe that similar headlines did in 2025. As CBC's About That explains , Trump seems to be following a defined playbook: first, he issues a maximalist threat — like, 100 per cent tariffs — then, he lets the threat simmer to create negotiating leverage. He then pulls the tariff threat back — with delays or decreases. Finally, the U.S. president frames the outcome as a "historic win," thus justifying the move. But will Trump's strategy ultimately backfire? After all, it's precisely this tariff strategy that likely pushed Carney to deliver his now-viral speech in Davos, where he called out a "rupture" in the world order. Officials around the world have already expressed concern over Trump's tariffs, and this week, headlines and opinion pieces supporting Carney's speech popped up in foreign newspapers, including the New York Times, France's Le Monde and Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza. 20 hours ago Key points from China-Canada trade agreement Sarah Petz Embed | Carney meets Xi Jinping, hails progress in resetting trade with China Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Carney reached what he described as a "landmark" trade agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping last Friday, a move that marked a major shift in relations between the two countries. Under the agreement, Carney said Ottawa expects China will lower tariffs on Canadian canola seed duties to 15 per cent by March. In addition, Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crab and peas will no longer be subject to Chinese "anti-discrimination" tariffs from March to at least the end of 2026. In return, Canada will let 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles into the market at a lower tariff rate of 6.1 per cent. Last year, China imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil, meal and seeds, as well as peas, after Canada placed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs. 20 hours ago Sarah Petz Image | Carney-Cabinet 20260123 (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab Filling in for Carney at the news conference, Champagne was asked to respond to concerns that Carney's approach (including entering into a trade agreement with China) could hurt Canada's relationship with its southern neighbour. The minister said the U.S. is still a major trading partner, and that won't change. But Canada is dealing with a "new economic dynamic" and has to develop other partnerships to become more resilient, he said. "You know, we are adding to what we have, not taking anything away," he said. "I think Canadians understand that we have to develop other partnerships." 20 hours ago Benjamin Lopez Steven Carney hasn't taken any media questions since returning to Canada from his trip to China, Qatar and Davos, Switzerland. Journalists have certainly been eager to get his thoughts on the fallout with the United States after his speech at the World Economic Forum. The prime minister was scheduled to take reporters' questions yesterday after days of meetings with his cabinet in Quebec City, which is standard for these retreats. But moments before he was expected to appear, his news conference was abruptly cancelled. An official cited the prime minister's schedule as the issue. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne took questions instead. 20 hours ago Carney's office did not immediately comment on Trump's threat Benjamin Lopez Steven Hi there, I'm an associate producer with CBC Politics. I've contacted Prime Minister Mark Carney's office to see if he will have a statement about Trump's latest tariff threat. Staff have yet to respond, but we will update this page if they do. 20 hours ago Sarah Petz Trump seemed unfazed when Canada's agreement with China was announced last week, telling reporters it was a "good thing" when asked about it. "That's what [Carney] should ⁠be doing. It's a good thing ‍for him to sign a trade deal. If you ⁠can get a deal with China, you should do ‍that," Trump told reporters at the ‍White ⁠House. But things have gotten a little frosty between the two leaders since the prime minister's widely-lauded speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. While Mark Carney didn't name Trump, he said "American hegemony" and "great powers" were using economic integration as weapons. In his own speech in Davos, Trump complained that Carney should be grateful because "Canada lives because of the United States." 20 hours ago A new tariff threat from Trump, this time over China Sarah Petz Image | Trump Switzerland Davos (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab I'm a senior writer in Toronto. Another day, another tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump. This time, he's threatening to slap a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian goods coming into the United States if Canada "makes a deal with China." "China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website this morning. "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 statement doesn't elaborate on what a "deal" means. It comes after Canada reached an agreement with China last week to allow 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the market at a lower tariff rate of 6.1 per cent in exchange for lower tariffs on Canadian canola. Featured Media Embed | Trump: 100% tariffs if Canada does deal with China Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Embed | Cabinet ministers react to Trump's latest tariff threat Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Embed | Carney hails ‘landmark’ China trade deal, but not everyone’s happy Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Embed | Trump threatens France with 200% wine tariffs over ‘Board of Peace’ refusal Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Embed | Carney: 'We are in the midst of a rupture,' as great powers exploit economic integration, tariffs Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Embed | 'Canada strongly opposes tariffs over Greenland,' Carney says after Trump threats Open full embed in new tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. 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