Trump praises Canadian separatists amid delicate trade talks
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President Trump applauded Quebec's new separatist premier Tuesday, continuing to jab at Ottawa despite fragile trade talks that seemed to be gaining momentum.
The big picture: Even as Trump's top economic adviser suggested a deal to ease the ongoing trade war is possible, the president has continue to antagonize Canada.
- The U.S. recently accused Canada of trying to influence American elections through retaliatory tariffs, which Canadian officials have denied.
- Meanwhile, Trump's continued to antagonize Canada from the campaign trail, saying at a Mississippi stop Monday that it was "charging us massive tariffs" and has "treated us badly."
Driving the news: In a brief shoutout Tuesday, the president congratulated Paul St-Pierre Plamondon for his win some three weeks ago.
- While a recent vote stymied an Albertan separatist push, St-Pierre Plamondon has vowed to hold Quebec's third referendum on independence, though he's said it wouldn't happen until after Trump leaves office.
- St-Pierre Plamondon's center-left Parti Québécois won 60 of 127 seats, leaving it four short of a majority. It would likely need support from a fellow separatist party to advance a referendum.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized the importance of Canadian unity as the nation faces unprecedented hostility from the American president.
- Trump shared an Irish Times article that framed the Quebec vote as a "blow to Mark Carney" that could "hamper" his "efforts to maintain national unity against Trump."
Zoom out: Trump on Tuesday also congratulated British Columbia's premier-designate, Lorne Doerkson, after his Conservatives swung the province rightward.
- "Conservatives are moving strong in Canada!" the president wrote. Doerkson, however, has rejected suggestions that he's aligned with the president, similar to St-Pierre Plamondon.
Friction point: The U.S. Embassy in Canada last week accused Canadian leaders of trying to influence American politics with reciprocal tariffs on politically important products and states in the U.S.
- The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
The intrigue: White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said in a Fox interview Sunday that negotiations with Canada have "picked up" and are "gathering steam."
- Carney told reporters Monday trade talks had intensified slightly since the talks last fell apart in August.
- Midterm politics are complicating Trump's tariff agenda, Axios' Courtenay Brown reports. Last week, the the White House exempted certain Canadian imports from 50% tariffs following pressure from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
- Collins pledged to seek to seek further tariff relief and encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada.
The bottom line: Trump relationship with Canada has been tumultuous — rattled by trade tensions and the president's persistent "51st state" threats.
Go deeper: Trump's Canada feud collides with Alberta's separatist vote
