President Donald Trump warned Sunday that Americans may feel “some pain” as a result of his newly imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, but insisted the measures were necessary to strengthen the U.S. economy. He also made the controversial claim that Canada would “cease to exist” without its trade surplus with the United States.
The tariffs, signed into effect Saturday at Trump’s Florida resort, have sparked widespread concern, threatening long-standing North American trade partnerships and escalating tensions with China.
“Canadians are perplexed,” said Canada’s U.S. ambassador, Kirsten Hillman. “We view ourselves as your neighbor, your closest friend, your ally.”
By pushing ahead with a key campaign promise, Trump may have inadvertently contradicted another pledge—to quickly lower inflation. The tariffs could lead to higher consumer prices, further frustrating American businesses and households already struggling with economic challenges.
“WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!),” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”
His administration has not specified how high costs could rise or what conditions must be met—such as reductions in illegal immigration or fentanyl smuggling—to justify lifting the tariffs, which take effect Tuesday.
Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem, defending the tariffs on NBC’s Meet the Press, claimed, “If prices go up, it’s because of other people’s reactions to America’s laws.”
Trump’s tariffs target Canadian goods with a 25% levy, while imposing a 10% tax on Canadian oil, natural gas, and electricity. In response, Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. products, including alcohol and fruit.
Trump dismissed concerns over the economic fallout, stating, “We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use.”
Despite his claim, Canada supplies nearly one-quarter of the oil consumed daily in the U.S.
Trump went further, suggesting that Canada should become America’s “51st state.”
“Without that surplus, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada – AND NO TARIFFS!”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has urged citizens to buy more Canadian-made products, arguing that Trump’s tariffs will hurt consumers on both sides of the border.
More than 75% of Canada’s exports are sent to the U.S., and Canada is the largest export market for 36 American states. Meanwhile, Mexico remains the U.S.’s largest trading partner.
In response to U.S. tariffs, Canada’s first wave of countermeasures will focus on alcohol, cosmetics, and paper products, with a second round later targeting passenger vehicles, steel, aluminum, beef, pork, dairy, and produce.
Ambassador Hillman, speaking on ABC’s This Week, described widespread frustration among Canadians.
“Canadians just don’t understand where this is coming from … and probably there’s a little bit of hurt, right?” she said.
As the trade war intensifies, experts warn that escalating tariffs could disrupt billions in cross-border trade, leading to higher prices, job losses, and economic instability across North America.