Canada 'has cards and assets' to use in tariff negotiations, former U.S. ambassador says

[00:00:00]All right, a live look to both Ottawa and Washington this morning.

[00:00:05]In the aftermath of President Trump once again escalating trade tensions between the two countries. Earlier this week announcing a 50% tariff on a number of Canadian goods. Everything from hockey sticks to wine to cement. Joining me is former US Ambassador to Canada James Blanchard. Mr. Ambassador, good to see you again. First of all, what do you make of this most recent round of tariff threats from President Trump? Where did it come from and why is it so sweeping?

[00:00:34]>> You know, a trade war is like a regular war. It's easy to start, hard to stop.

[00:00:41]The president has himself tied in knots over Iran. He gets booed at the World Cup and all of a sudden he lashes out at Canada again. So, I don't know.

[00:00:50]As far as I'm concerned in Washington, the White House the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. These this latest tariff rounds is absolutely um unjustified basically. Uh probably will be challenged in court and he will probably lose.

[00:01:06]But it all it does is, you know, heighten tensions with from my point of view and I think most Americans our best friend and ally partner Canada. So, it's crazy. And of course it's led to uh a you know, we were going to dedicate the Gordie Howe bridge on Friday. I was planning to be there with our Governor Whitmer. That's been partially canceled.

[00:01:26]So, it's all unnecessary and I I don't know whether it's the president he he he has no one who will stand up to him and tell him these things are crazy and wrong and unjustified. It is a real problem and I think most Americans understand that we should not be treating Canada this way. We shouldn't be cozying up to Russia and then pushing back on Canada. It just makes no sense.

[00:01:50]>> Is it a negotiating strategy?

[00:01:54]>> You know, I I don't know that. I think, you know, people are trying to project the best face on Mr. Trump by making it sound like it's some sort of rational policy. I don't believe it is, really. I don't Um look, we've always complained about dairy. That is such a small part of our trade.

[00:02:12]And we have people like our Secretary of Commerce repeating Trump saying Canada has nothing we need. And yet, when we levy tariffs, we exclude energy, which we need. [laughter] We exclude so many things, critical minerals. I mean, it's you know, the truth is if Canada wanted to, you could shut down our electricity in New England and uh oil and gas. So, it's just >> [sighs and gasps] >> I don't think there's a lot of logic here. I think it's the same thing with hit-and-miss with the Iranian war. I do.

[00:02:46]They start something, they think it's going to be neat.

[00:02:48]It's going to be quick and easy.

[00:02:51]Um and then they can't get out of it.

[00:02:52]So, I think you know, I think from the point of view of as a former diplomat, I think I think your Canadian officials are doing as best they can on this without making things worse.

[00:03:05]But, you know, we can't expect Canada not to stand up to us. That's why why wouldn't anyone in Canada stand up to us? You have cards um and assets that we need. And we've always needed. And I don't know, I mean, the most important thing for the United States in world affairs, frankly, is allies.

[00:03:25]Allies, Canada, NATO, our friends in the Asia Pacific. Allies are critical.

[00:03:31]That's true whether it was in the '40s or today. It won't change. And you don't treat your friends the way we're treating Canada.

[00:03:39]>> Mhm. Well, that message uh is certainly not getting through to the president who as recently as a couple of days ago said that Canada wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the US. And the president says, Mr. Ambassador, that the tariffs are protecting American jobs and that they are beneficial. Do you see any evidence of that?

[00:04:02]>> No. I will tell you the steel and aluminum tariffs hurt our auto industry and as you know as a proud Michigander, former governor of Michigan, yeah, I think that the tariffs on Canada hurt autos both in Canada and the US, raised car prices, uh less sales, fewer jobs.

[00:04:21]Yeah, no, I think it's harmful. I think I don't think that Mr. Trump understands that we benefit from a lot of these things. It's not one way. But you know, you have to understand something.

[00:04:31]>> [clears throat] >> Donald Trump thinks the world kind of began when he was born. This is a man who's not only jealous of Mark Carney or or he he I mean, he's jealous of John Kennedy. I mean, he actually had the the Kennedy name supplemented with his name in the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

[00:04:54]We're not dealing with a normal politician, normal elected official.

[00:04:59]Look, all of us who run for office have a big ego, I admit it. I enjoyed it. But in return, you have to do something for the people, for the country, for your state. Um and these things are all destructive measures, in my opinion.

[00:05:15]>> Yeah.

[00:05:15]>> And I applaud Canada's patience. You don't deserve this. But think how we feel. This is guy is our president. He's going to be president for two more years.

[00:05:24]Um I think the Democrats will have a big victory in November, by the way, so there'll be some guardrails.

[00:05:29]And I would say that the Congress, bipartisan, passed a resolution, bipartisan, opposing the tariffs on Canada.

[00:05:37]Didn't have the force of law, but it was an important resolution.

[00:05:41]>> As always, really appreciate speaking with you, James Blanchard, former US Ambassador to Canada. It is a shame that both countries can't be celebrating the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge together. Uh nonetheless, this is where we are in this moment. I thank you so much for your time.