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The imbalance in President Trump’s treatment of America’s closest trading partners may come from his desire to make Canada the 51st state, some Canadians believe.
Aug. 1, 2025Updated 1:12 a.m. ET
As President Trump rolled out his latest round of tariffs on Thursday, he fell again into what has become a familiar, if surprising, pattern — favoring Mexico and stiffing Canada.
Even as he announced sweeping tariffs for much of the world, Mr. Trump offered Mexico a 90-day reprieve, pending further negotiations. Then for Canada, America’s largest export market, he raised general tariffs to 35 percent from 25 percent.
Even worse for Canada, its new rate went into effect shortly after midnight, while new tariffs against other nations will take effect in a week.
The reasons for the imbalance in the president’s treatment of America’s two closest trading partners was not immediately apparent. But many Canadians believe that it is part of Mr. Trump’s campaign to force Canada’s annexation as the 51st state through economic chaos.
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada said in a statement on Friday that his government would continue negotiations with the United States while remaining “laser focused on what we can control: building Canada strong.”
He added: “Canadians will be our own best customer.”
But the president’s decision to go ahead with higher tariffs on Canada is a blow to the Canadian leader, a political neophyte who was elected to office for the first time just over three months ago.
