Donald Trump says he made a deal with Canada. Canada is telling a very different story.
With his threatened 50 percent tariffs on certain Canadian goods set to take effect, Trump announced that he was postponing them for three days, claiming that the United States and Canada, “subject to finalization of documents, have a deal.”
But Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s statement was notably more cautious. Carney said “substantial progress has been made,” while stressing that “important work” remains and describing the negotiations as ongoing. Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Dominic LeBlanc, similarly said the two countries were still working toward a “finalized agreement.”
So what actually happened?
Ben Meiselas sat down with former Canadian Member of Parliament and Meidas Canada host Charlie Angus to break down Trump’s claims, the reaction inside Canada, and what could come next.
Angus says Canadians have learned not to take Trump’s declarations at face value and are waiting to see the actual details before declaring anything a victory.
“If you go into any coffee shop in Canada today, they’ll say, ‘whatever,’” Angus told Ben. “We don’t trust anything that guy says. It’ll be what it’ll be. Show us the details.”
The conversation also turns to the larger shift underway in Canada as the country moves to become less economically dependent on the United States, including a massive new Canadian energy agreement announced as Trump was touting his supposed trade victory.
And Angus gives an update on the rapidly growing Canadian petition seeking to have U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra declared persona non grata. Angus said more than a quarter-million Canadians have already signed, with the petition remaining open until November.
Watch Ben’s full conversation with Charlie Angus above and remember to join as a paid subscriber if you haven’t yet to support independent media.
