Trump tells rally Canada has been treating the US 'extremely nicely' amid tariff tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump told a rally on Thursday that Canada has been treating the United States "extremely nicely" recently. Daily Sabah and Reuters both reported the remark.

The comments came amid trade tensions between the two countries linked to Trump's tariff policies. Reuters describes the dispute as a tariff war.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not describe which Canadian actions, if any, Trump was referring to.

Context reported by Daily Sabah

According to Daily Sabah, the rally was a campaign event in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Daily Sabah says it was held for a Republican Senate candidate it names as Darline Graham. Reuters' summary does not confirm these details.

Daily Sabah reports that the United States accounted for 71.7% of Canada's merchandise exports in 2025. It does not cite a source for this figure.

According to Daily Sabah, Canada has a proposed arrangement with the European Union. The reports do not describe its terms or status. Daily Sabah also reports that a senior Canadian government official was asked by reporters on Wednesday about possible retaliation.

What is disputed

The exact wording of Trump's remark differs between the two reports. Daily Sabah quoted him as saying: "They're treating us extremely nicely lately." Reuters quoted him as saying Canada was "treating us extremely nicely recently." Only a summary of the Reuters report was available for review. The reports do not include a full transcript or recording of the rally.

What each side says

• Donald Trump (U.S. President): Canada has been treating the United States extremely nicely recently, according to both outlets. According to Daily Sabah's account of his remarks, he said the tariffs he imposed on Canada have improved relations. The reports do not specify which tariffs he meant. Daily Sabah also reports that Trump has suggested Canada's proposed EU arrangement could be a "hostile act". It says he has threatened tariffs on Europe if he considers the arrangement unfriendly. The reports do not say when or where he made those remarks.
• Senior Canadian government official (unnamed): According to Daily Sabah, the official told reporters on Wednesday that the closer relationship with the EU is not directed against the United States. Daily Sabah says the official described it as reflecting longstanding shared interests.
• Mark Carney (Canadian Prime Minister): According to Daily Sabah, Carney wants to double exports to countries other than the United States over the next decade.

The reports include no on-record Canadian response to Trump's rally remarks.

Analysis

Trump's remark points to a softer public tone toward Canada, but the reports do not explain what prompted it or whether policy will change. One possibility is that the comment signals room for easing trade tensions. Another is that tensions persist, given Daily Sabah's reports of Trump's warnings over Canada's proposed EU arrangement and Carney's stated goal of diversifying exports. Canada's reported heavy reliance on the U.S. market may shape how Ottawa responds. Key unknowns include the terms of the EU arrangement and any formal reaction from either government. Further statements would be needed to judge the direction of relations.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.