Trump tells Canada to ‘fall in line’ as Carney rejects subordination

Trump tells Canada to ‘fall in line’ as Carney rejects subordination

TORONTO (AP) — President Donald Trump told Canadian leaders on Monday to "fall in line" or face consequences that would be "far WORSE" than the tariffs he has already imposed, as Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Washington of trying to subordinate Canada.

Trump's warning on social media came as he threatened new 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts and steel amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

Carney said U.S. trade demands had confirmed Canada's fears that Washington was seeking to dismantle major Canadian industries. Nonetheless, he said Canada remained willing to negotiate, but only if the United States approached the talks as a partnership between sovereign countries.

"An attitude at the negotiation table that Canada is a subsidiary of the United States" is "not something we're going to accept," Carney said.

Carney was even more blunt in French.

"We learned during the negotiations that the Americans want to destroy our major industries, including autos, steel and aluminum," Carney said. "That was one of the main reasons we said no. It was a bad deal."

The fiery words from both sides show how U.S.-Canada relations have deteriorated since Carney walked away from trade negotiations with the Trump administration late Friday, triggering the president's threatened 50% tariffs the next day on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. In response, Carney announced dollar-for-dollar retaliation beginning Sept. 8.

Carney cast doubt on the U.S.'s reliability as a partner, saying Canada was finding reliable partners "everywhere in the world, except in the United States. Except in the United States. And Russia."

On Monday, Trump came back with further tariffs, warning that he would impose them on Canada's auto industry beginning next year.

"Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years," Trump wrote on social media, criticizing what he called the country's "ridiculously high tariffs" on American farmers.

Carney said Washington's auto-sector proposals would gradually have the effect of dismantling Canadian production.

"This is the most successful automotive partnership in history," Carney said, referring to the deeply integrated Canada-U.S. industry.

Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford unleashed his own tirade. In an interview with The Associated Press, he said Trump had underestimated Canadians' willingness to endure economic pain rather than give in to U.S. pressure.

"We're all in," Ford said. "Up here, we're at a fever pitch; everyone's in for an economic war. They know they're going to have to sacrifice."