President Trump targets EU trade; still floating the idea of Canada being the 51st U.S State

This week, President Donald Trump flexed the power of the U.S. when it comes to trade. Mexico and Canada made concessions to avoid tariffs, and now Trump is looking at the European Union.

“Well, we have massive deficits with the European Union, massive like $350 billion, if you can believe it,” Pres. Trump said. “They don’t take our farm products. They don’t take our cars.”

Trump says the EU has abused the U.S. for years, and that needs to change. He also repeated the notion that it could be in Canada‘s best interest to become the 51st state of the United States, saying they have a lot more to lose than we do.

“Why are we willing to lose between $100 billion and $200 billion a year?” Trump said. “We don’t need that. As a state, it’s different, and there are no tariffs. I’d love to see that, but some people say that would be a long shot. If people wanted to play the game right, it would be 100% certain that they become a state.”

This week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered concessions to keep the tariffs at bay for at least a month. President Trump is expected to keep in talks with Canada and Mexico over the next 30 days.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024.
The U.S. Forest Service takes us on the same journey from a tree farm in Nevada across America to experience the magic of Christmas in the U.S. Capitol.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-IA, details how the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) supports farmers, biofuels, and rural communities with tax breaks, crop insurance relief, and ag infrastructure.
Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance shares risk-reduction strategies to help cattle producers prepare for a successful year ahead.
Oregon FFA CEO Kjer Kizer discusses the proposed budget reductions, potential consequences, and the importance of protecting learning opportunities for students interested in agriculture.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney explains why the 2026 USMCA review could directly affect dairy access, produce competition, and export reliability for U.S. farmers and ranchers.