President-elect Donald Trump is doubling down on the threat of imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico and suggests that Canada should become another state.
Trump reiterated his stance in a Meet the Press interview with NBC News journalist Kristen Welker, which aired on December 8.
Early in the interview, Trump emphasized that he was “a big believer in tariffs” — a sentiment that he made clear on social media where he said he would “sign all necessary all documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25 percent tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.”
“I think tariffs are the most beautiful word. I think they’re beautiful; it’s going to make us rich,” Trump told Welker.
He also stated that the US annually subsidizes Canada for US$100 million and Mexico for US$300 million.
“We shouldn’t be subsidizing them. Why are we subsidizing these countries?” he asked. “If we’re going to subsidize them, let them become a state. We’re subsidizing Mexico, and we’re subsidizing Canada, and we’re subsidizing many countries all over the world.”
He added that tariffs would create a “fair playing field.”
Welker then asked, “Are you actually going to impose these tariffs, or are they a negotiating tactic?”
Trump responded by saying that “millions of people” are pouring into the US through Canada and Mexico. He also stated that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew to Florida seconds after they spoke on the phone.
“I spoke with Justin Trudeau; in fact, he flew to Mar-a-Lago within 15 seconds after the call ended. It was at Mar-a-Lago; we’re having dinner talking about it; I said, ‘You have to close up your borders because they’re coming in the northern border too, a lot,” said Trump.