Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, accused Donald Trump of engaging in "economic coercion" after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the European Union. This threat followed the announcement of Canada's potential membership as the first associate member of the European Union.
Use of Economic Tools
Carney stated in a speech at the European Parliament, "Economic tools are now being used for coercion and pressure." He also noted that "economic integrity has now become a weapon and tariffs are being used to exert pressure," although he did not specifically mention Trump by name.
He emphasized that Canada is not seeking "dominance" or power and will continue to cooperate with Europe for mutual benefits. Carney added with a smile that this cooperation is not aimed at becoming a "rival power with better manners," which seemed to be a reference to Trump's tensions with European countries, and this statement elicited laughter from the parliament members.
Trump's Threats and Reactions
Trump told reporters on Wednesday that this agreement could be interpreted as "a hostile act." He added, "If they do this and if I think this act is hostile, I will impose very heavy tariffs or stop trade with Europe in many cases," describing the proposal as "ridiculous."
Trump had previously threatened to impose tariffs on Europe and Ottawa, mentioning that he could turn Canada into the "51st state" of the United States. In July of this year, he imposed 50 percent tariffs on items such as alcohol and hockey sticks, accusing Canada of "ongoing discrimination."
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, addressed the benefits of closer relations with Canada in her annual speech at the European Parliament and announced that the country could be recognized as the first associate member of the European Union. However, four diplomats told the media that EU capitals were surprised by this announcement, leading to significant confusion.
Source: independent.co.uk
