Donald Trump wasted no time in reacting to the decision of the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, to recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in September, and threatened his northern neighbor with maintaining the trade war.
PUBLICIDAD
The Canadian government thus joined other G7 countries, such as France and the United Kingdom, which would also recognize Palestine in September.
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Carney justified the decision as a response to the “unbearable suffering” caused by Israel’s actions in preventing the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, the violence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and the plans for annexation of Palestinian territory.
What did Trump say against Canada?
Since taking office on January 20th, Trump’s relations with Canada have been very tense, to the point of wanting to annex them as the 51st state and imposing severe tariffs on their imports.
In the latest chapter, this Thursday morning the Republican president of the United States threatened Canada with blocking a trade agreement if they recognize Palestine.
“Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!” wrote Trump on his Truth Social account.
Trump’s warnings to Canada come as negotiating efforts accelerate to reach an agreement that prevents Canadian imports excluded from the trade deal from being taxed at 35%.
The Canadian Prime Minister sent his Chief of Staff and his Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs to Washington on Wednesday to try to reach a trade agreement with the United States, although both Trump and Carney have stated in recent days that they believe it will not be possible to reach an agreement before Friday when the deadline set by the US president expires.
Israel rejects Canada’s announcement
Israel also rejected Canada’s announcement that it will recognize a Palestinian State in September, which it considers “a reward for Hamas” that, in its view, “damages efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.”
In a statement posted on its X account, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Canada’s change of stance at this time will also be an obstacle to obtaining the release of the hostages held by Hamas in the Palestinian enclave.