Trump accuses Trudeau of manufacturing border crisis ‘to stay in power’

So much for tariff relief.

Barley a day after American officials held out the prospect of limited tariff rollbacks, US president Donald Trump all but quashed the possibility of any reprieve by accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of plotting to seize power.

As is his custom, the news came out over social media.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had a “somewhat” friendly phone call with the outgoing Liberal leader where he said both Canada and Mexico have done little to stem the flow of deadly fentanyl across the northern border.

“Justin Trudeau, of Canada, called me to ask what could be done about tariffs. I told him that many people have died from Fentanyl that came through the borders of Canada and Mexico, and nothing has convinced me that it has stopped,” Trump wrote.

“He said that it's gotten better, but I said, ‘That's not good enough.’ The call ended in a

"somewhat" friendly manner!”

Trump further demonstrated his lack of understanding of the Canadian electoral system by accusing Trudeau of delaying the next federal election, which is likely to be determined after his successor is named on Sunday, March 9.

“He was unable to tell me when the Canadian Election is taking place, which made me curious, like, what's going on here? | then realized he is trying to use this issue to stay in power.” 

And then, in typical Trump fashion, a parting shot: “Good luck Justin!”

Trump has made no secret of his desire to annex Canada as the US’ 51st State, which he continued with in his joint speech to Congress on Tuesday.

It came after Trudeau called Trump’s tariffs “dumb” at a press briefing in Ottawa yesterday. The prime minister also accused accused Trump of trying to cause the collapse of Canada's economy to make it easier for the United States to annex the country.

To which Trump replied in typical fashion.

“Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the US, our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!" Trump wrote.