Trump throws tariff tantrum over Canada’s Palestine stance

As several nations move to recognise Palestine, Donald Trump’s tariff threats might be a last-ditch attempt to deter them.

Just hours after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada plans to recognise the Palestinian state on July 30th, Trump took to Truth Social, taunting that the move would make a trade deal between the two “very hard,” according to the Guardian on July 31st.

Carney cited Israel’s violent expansion into the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as the spiralling humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, as reasons behind the decision.

Canada has long maintained its commitment to a two-state solution – an internationally backed proposition for an independent and sovereign Palestine coexisting alongside Israel. However, after Israel’s steady attacks on Gaza following Hamas’ attacks on October 7th, 2023, those ambitions might have dried up.

“This approach is no longer tenable,” Carney said, citing the atrocities committed against the Palestinians.

“Prospects for a two-state solution have been gravely eroded…For these reasons, Canada intends to recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.”

His announcement followed the UK’s decision to recognise Palestine in September unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire, although he denied any external influence on Canada’s stance. The announcement also came after France announced its plans to recognise Palestine in September.

Carney’s statement immediately came under fire from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which called the move a “reward for Hamas,” and said it “harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.”

The US, Israel’s long-time bed fellow, predictably followed suit. On July 31st, Trump posted on his Truth Social: “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them.”

Carney’s announcement came just two days before Trump’s August 1st deadline for countries to make a trade deal with the US or face tariffs. If no deal is reached, Canada, the US’s largest trade partner, will face a 35% sweeping tariff.

For Canada, which exports 75% of its goods to the US, the implications would be significant. Recently, on July 23rd, Carney told reporters his “objective is not to reach a deal, whatever it costs… We are pursuing a deal that will be in the best interest of Canadians.”

Carney is not alone in facing Trump’s threats. The US president has also promised to raise tariffs on Brazil to 50% following the prosecution of his ally, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, and has threatened India with an additional 15% tariffs for purchasing Russian oil.

Should Canada, France, and the UK follow through with recognition of Palestine, they would join 147 out of 193 UN member states.

More importantly, the US would be the only remaining permanent Security Council member to withhold recognition.

The Guardian/ BBC/ Maghrebi.org/ The New Arab plus agencies/ CBC