Trump calls Canadians 'nasty people' in Las Vegas speech, says 'I love the people, but they're nasty' as trade deadline looms

President Trump called Canada and its leadership 'nasty' during a speech at the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa in Las Vegas, asserting, 'I love the people, but they’re nasty. Nasty leadership.' This remark comes as the U.S. prepares to impose 50% tariffs on select Canadian exports by August 19, escalating trade tensions.¹²³⁴⁷⁹

Trump reiterated his fondness for tariffs, stating, 'I love tariffs, right? Because we’ve been screwed by tariffs used against us for years.' He listed countries that have imposed tariffs on the U.S., including Canada, and claimed that the U.S. has 'turned the tables on everybody' with its tariff policies.

The president's comments reflect ongoing trade disputes, as Canada has attempted to address U.S. concerns by eliminating a planned digital services tax and rolling back a Canadian content levy on streaming services. However, these efforts have not significantly improved relations, with Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief trade negotiator Janice Charette currently in Washington for further discussions.

Trade relations have been strained, with Canadian exports to the U.S. facing a 63% drop last year, attributed to previous U.S. tariffs. Canada maintains that any resolution to the trade issues will require a comprehensive agreement with the U.S., with Carney indicating that retaliation remains a possibility if tariffs are enacted.