OTTAWA — On the eve of his sweeping tariffs coming into force against Canadian items, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a new gripe against Canada by questioning why American banks aren’t allowed more access to its northern neighbour’s market.
In a Truth Social post Monday morning, Trump confirmed that he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had spoken on the phone earlier in the day and were scheduled to do so again at 3 p.m.
It appears to be the first time Trudeau and Trump have spoken since the president’s inauguration on Jan. 20. Tomorrow, U.S. tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian goods and 10 per cent on Canadian energy, as well as Canada’s first wave of retaliatory tariffs kick in, formally launching both countries into a massive trade war.
Since announcing the U.S. tariffs, Trump has repeatedly tied them to accusations that Canada has failed to secure its side of the shared land border, allowing both people and drugs such as fentanyl to enter the U.S.
But in comments late Sunday and then a post on early Monday, Trump revealed a new gripe with Canada: frustration that U.S. banks have limited access to the Canadian market.
“Canada doesn’t even allow U.S. Banks to open or do business there. What’s that all about?” he wrote on social media.
Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Simon Lafortune confirmed that Trudeau and Trump spoke on Monday morning about trade and the border. He also confirmed they were set to speak again by phone later in the day.
More to come
National Post
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