Canadian officials reportedly tried to patiently explain trade to Trump. They felt blindsided by his pugnacious tweets.


Canadian officials were reportedly confused by President Trump's angry outburst regarding the trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada, The Toronto Star reported Monday, because they had spent so long coaxing him into understanding their point of view.
Trump's trip to Canada for the G7 summit did not go smoothly, ending with a sharp disagreement with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump eventually did not agree to sign the summit's joint statement, after he and other world leaders were unable to see eye-to-eye on global trade.
But Canadian aides and officials told the Star that Trump had seemingly understood Canada's arguments against U.S.-imposed steel and aluminum tariffs. Trudeau and his aides reportedly sat with Trump and explained the economic relationship, feeling that Trump "got it" by the end of the discussion.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Then Trump turned around and held a combative press conference, where he threatened to cut trade ties with G7 countries entirely if they didn't agree to a "zero tariffs" approach. Things reportedly began falling apart after Trump and Trudeau couldn't agree on language for the final statement — most world leaders wanted to pledge to adhere to "the rules-based global system" on trade, but the U.S. wanted it to read "a rules-based global system" to leave the door open to change that system.
Canadian aides said they were perplexed, since Trump and Trudeau had reportedly agreed in private to move forward on NAFTA talks. In the end, the president declined to pledge support for any of the group's agreements, including reducing ocean pollution, which surprised even the G7 leaders who had low expectations for common ground with Trump. Read more at The Toronto Star.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Yemen is the next humanitarian crisis in the Middle East
In the Spotlight The country has been dealing with humanitarian issues for years that are being exacerbated by war
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Movies to watch in April, including 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'The Legend of Ochi'
The Week Recommends An all-timer video game gets a wacky adaption, Ryan Coogler makes a vampire flick and a new fantasy puts practical effects back in the spotlight
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 11, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 11, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Trump axes NSA head, NSC staff after Loomer advice
Speed Read On the recommendation of Laura Loomer, Trump fired the head of the National Security Agency and several National Security Council officials
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump says tariffs 'going very well' as markets fall
speed read US financial markets had their biggest one-day drop since the advent of Covid-19
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump rolls out tariffs on virtually all imports
Speed Read On "Liberation Day," Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to America and higher reciprocal tariffs for some 60 other countries
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published