Tariffs, trolling and the "51st state": A timeline of Trump's Canada aggression

• While Trump has not subjected Carney to the same level of trolling as he did to former PM Justin Trudeau, the new Canadian leader has not hesitated to take aim at Trump.

Context: What started as apparent teasing from Trump snowballed into a far frostier fracturing between the two allies.

Here is a timeline of some of blows traded between the U.S. and Canada:

Nov. 25, 2024: Trump promises day-one tariffs

Trump, then the president elect, declared in a Truth Social post that he would place a tariff of 25% on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico with a day-one executive order.

• "This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!" he wrote.

Shortly after, on Nov. 30, Trump shared that he and then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had shared a "very productive meeting" where they discussed issues that he said would "require both Countries to work together to address."

Dec. 10, 2024: Trump calls former PM "Governor Justin Trudeau"

But his tone toward Trudeau quickly shifted: In a Truth Social post, Trump reflected on his dinner with "Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada," saying he looked "forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade."

Days prior, on Dec. 3, Trump shared a seemingly AI-generated image of himself standing on a mountain beside a Canadian flag with the caption "Oh Canada!"

Jan. 7: Trump says he would use "economic force" against Canada

In a lengthy January press conference, Trump did not rule out using military force to reclaim the Panama Canal or acquire Greenland but said he would not use the military to make Canada the 51st state — only "economic force."

• Trudeau responded on X, writing, "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States."

That same day on Truth Social, Trump posted a map of the U.S. and Canada with the American flag stretching across both nations.

Feb. 1: Trump unleashes tariffs (until he pauses them)

On Feb. 1, Trump imposed across-the-board tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China to start Feb. 4, with the White House contending they were a necessary response to the threat posed by undocumented immigrants and drugs.

• Trump argued on Truth Social the next day that "we don't need anything" that Canada has, contending that without U.S. help, "Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country."
• He continued, "Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!"

Yes, but: On Feb. 3, Trump announced deals had been struck to pause the tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days.

March 4: Paused tariffs take effect but are later eased

Trump's 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico took effect on March 4 — and Trudeau responded with swift retaliation.

But, but, but: Trump eased levies with an auto-sector carveout on March 5. The next day, he paused the 25% tariffs on imports covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the deal negotiated during his first term.

March 9: Carney takes the reins — and takes aim at Trump

After Canada's ruling Liberals elected Carney to lead the party and serve as the nation's next prime minister, he warned of "dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust" — the U.S.

• "America is not Canada. And Canada never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape or form," he said.

March 11: Trump imposes retaliatory steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada (before reversing them)

Trump on March 11 imposed retaliatory heightened tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, saying the only solution was for Canada to become the "cherished Fifty First State."

• But then, he pulled back the extra tariffs after Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed to suspend a surcharge on exports of electricity coming into the U.S.

April 28: Trump wishes Canada good luck in election, urges country to become "the cherished 51st state"

Trump wished Canadians good luck as they headed to the polls April 28 — and again called for Canada to become a state.

• He wrote, "Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st."

April 29: Carney claims victory and says "old relationship" with U.S. is over

Carney again promised to stand up to Trump as his Liberal Party claimed victory after April 28's federal election.

• "Trump is trying to break us so America can own us," he said. Carney added that the Canada's "old relationship of integration" with the U.S. "over."

April 30: Trump says Carney is "nice gentleman" and will be visiting WH

Trump described Carney as "a very nice gentleman" April 30 and said he'd be coming to the White House "very shortly."

• The president claimed that Carney's main opposition, Pierre Poilievre, "hated" him more than Carney.

May 4: Trump mostly rules out military action against Canada

Trump, in a May 4 interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," mostly ruled out taking military action to unify Canada and the U.S.

• "I think we're not going to ever get to that point. It could happen," he said.

May 6: Trump claims Canada needs "EVERYTHING from us" ahead of meeting with Carney

Before his meeting with Carney on May 6, Trump posted on Truth Social that "we don't need ANYTHING" Canada has, "other than their friendship, "which hopefully we will always maintain."

• He added, "They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us!"

During the Oval Office meeting, Carney told Trump that Canada "is not for sale," nor will it be.

• "Never say never," Trump responded, to which Carney repeatedly said: "Never."

Go deeper: Uh oh, Canada: Trump declares trade war on America's "best friend"

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.