Trump's commerce secretary slams Canada’s trade plan as “they suck”

Howard Lutnick, described as President Donald Trump’s commerce secretary, said Canada’s trade strategy “they suck” at the Semafor World Economy Summit Friday【2】. He said it was “the worst strategy I’ve ever heard.”【2】

The remarks matter because they revive a brewing dispute over how the U.S. will pressure Canada in upcoming negotiations. A harsh assessment from a senior U.S. trade official can shape public opinion and give leverage to American negotiators seeking concessions on dairy, lumber, and steel.

Lutnick’s outburst followed comments from former Canadian chief trade negotiator Steve Verheul, who said to reporters that time is on Canada’s side because U.S. pressures are likely to grow as trade tensions rise【1】. Verheul’s optimism rests on the belief that Washington’s focus on other markets will force it to soften its stance toward Canada.

Analysts say Lutnick’s language signals a willingness by the Trump administration to use blunt rhetoric to extract better terms. If the U.S. escalates tariffs or tightens customs rules, Canadian exporters could face higher costs, and Canadian policymakers may have to renegotiate sections of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that are already contentious.

Canadian officials have not yet responded publicly, but industry groups said that such statements could hurt bilateral trade worth billions of dollars. The episode underscores how personal attacks at high‑profile forums can quickly become part of the diplomatic calculus in North‑American trade relations.

**What this means** – The exchange highlights a sharpening tone in U.S. trade policy toward Canada, suggesting that Washington may lean on economic pressure points as it pursues its broader agenda. Canadian leaders will need to balance Verheul’s confidence with the reality of a more confrontational U.S. stance, potentially reshaping negotiations and affecting sectors reliant on cross‑border trade.