Trump mocks Canadian PM as "Trudeau, governor of the US" after threat of retaliatory tariffs

SNS Refers to Canadian 'Ju' as Province, Prime Minister as 'Jujisa'
Seemingly Targeting Trudeau's Previous Day "Retaliatory Response" Remarks

President-elect of the United States Donald Trump posted on social media mocking allied leaders by referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a 'state governor' of the United States. This appears to target Trudeau's remarks the previous day, which hinted at retaliatory measures if the second Trump administration, set to begin in January next year, imposes a 25% tariff on Canada.

In a post on his own social media platform Truth Social early on the 10th (local time), Trump wrote, "The dinner with the great Canadian Governor Justin Trudeau was enjoyable," adding, "I look forward to meeting with the governor again soon to continue in-depth discussions on tariffs and trade." He further stated, "The outcome will truly be wonderful for everyone."

This represents a serious diplomatic faux pas by referring to Canada, America's closest ally, as a 'state' of the U.S. and Prime Minister Trudeau as a 'governor.' Earlier, on the 25th of last month, shortly after announcing a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, Trump told Trudeau, who was visiting Florida, that if issues such as illegal immigration, drugs, and trade deficits were not resolved, "Canada should become the 51st state of the United States."

The background to Trump publicly mocking Trudeau on social media is interpreted as stemming from displeasure over Trudeau's remarks the previous day.

At an event hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce in Nova Scotia the day before, Trudeau stated, "We will respond to (the U.S.'s) unfair tariffs in various ways," adding, "We are still exploring appropriate response methods." Referring to retaliatory tariffs imposed during Trump's first term in 2018, he evaluated, "Our response played a decisive role in the removal of (U.S.) tariffs." This implied that if the second Trump administration imposes a 25% tariff, Canada would respond with retaliatory tariffs.

Bloomberg News analyzed, "Prime Minister Trudeau claimed that the 2018 retaliatory tariffs were successful," and said, "This statement is the strongest indication that the Canadian government will retaliate if President-elect Trump realizes his tariff threat."