Trump tariffs hit Canada after Iran losses

Former US Labor Secretary Robert Reich, writing for The Guardian, states that President Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on all cars, trucks, auto parts, and steel from Canada. Reich argues this move follows Trump's military failures in Iran and is an attempt to bully an ally to save face.

Trump justified the tariffs by claiming Canada has "been ripping off the United States of America for years" and is "among the worst Nations in the World to deal with." He asserted, "WE DON'T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!" Reich contends a trade war with Canada seemed easier to win than the hot war in Iran, where Trump is reportedly trapped with a stronger, more extreme Iranian government intent on building a nuclear bomb and blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

Legal challenges and Canadian retaliation

Even though the US Supreme Court found a previous use of emergency powers for tariffs unconstitutional, Trump is now using the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act of 1930. Canada has retaliated. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced tariffs of up to 50% on about 700 American products.

On Saturday, Carney stated, "Last spring, I warned that America is trying to break us so they can own us, and I promised that will never, ever happen." Reich reports Carney now has approval ratings in the 60s in Canada, while Trump's ratings have sunk to the low 30s.

A pattern of bullying and loss

Reich describes Trump as "mad as a hatter" and an "enraged, engorged child" who lashes out when humiliated. The source lists other recent setbacks: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected Trump's Gaza plan, Congressional Republicans criticized increased beef imports, universities rejected his directives, and ABC sued his administration. The bond market is also in "open revolt" against his fiscal policies.

Trump reportedly made South Carolina's special election Republican runoff "all about himself," telling supporters Darline Graham's opponents were "only fighting Darline because they want me to lose." Reich suggests Trump tells himself his losses are due to opponents plotting, not his disappearing "aura of invincibility."

The article contrasts Trump with the late Dolly Parton, whom Reich admired. It concludes by calling Trump "the biggest loser on the planet" as almost everybody now sees a "thin-skinned, peevish, petty, incompetent, corrupt, naked infant" who they will not obey. For more on political fixtures and standings, visit our data pages.