Trump suggests EU allowing Canada as associate member could be a ‘hostile act’

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the European Union allowing Canada to become an associate member could be a “hostile act” and threatened to respond to the proposed move by imposing more tariffs on the bloc, The Associated Press reported.

Trump conditioned his threat on the “intention” of European leaders, saying that, “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.” He also suggested the U.S. could cut off trade with Europe in certain areas.

“Canada’s been a terrible trade partner,” Trump told reporters at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, when asked about the proposal. “If I think it’s at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things,” he added.

He called it “laughable” that Canada would become an associate member, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed earlier in the day during her State of the Union speech.