Obama Mocks Trade War as Trump Lifts Some Canadian Tariffs

Former President Barack Obama mocked the administration's trade policy with Canada on Saturday while campaigning in Ohio.

Speaking at a rally for Democratic candidates in Cleveland, Obama targeted the tariff dispute. He called Canada a "well-known evil empire" and joked that the country provided the United States with "maple syrup and Martin Short." He described Canadians as "the nicest people" and "our friendly neighbours to the north," questioning why President Donald Trump would pick a fight with them.

Obama argued that tariffs are driving up costs for American consumers. He stated that the measures have produced the negative effects many predicted. This rise in prices has created pressure on Republican candidates in border states ahead of the midterm elections.

The political context shifted on Friday when Trump announced plans to remove tariffs on certain Canadian products. However, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc told CBC's Power & Politics that Ottawa does not expect a finalized deal before the Nov. 3 vote. The two nations have exchanged retaliatory tariffs since last year. Those measures aimed to address fentanyl trafficking and trade imbalances. Trade negotiations between the two sides collapsed in August.

Trump has also used Canada as a focal point in his own recent speeches. At a stop in Highland Heights, Ky., on Oct. 17, he promised a future deal that would be "amazing." He claimed the United States has lost "billions and billions of dollars" to its neighbor. Trump criticized former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom the crowd cheered as he called a "loser." He then addressed Mark Carney, noting that while Carney is a "nice guy," he is not nice when it comes to trade. Trump concluded that Canada is "learning and they're suffering."