Hearing White House aide reinforce Trump’s annexation plans ‘chilling,’ premier says

WASHINGTON — As U.S. President Donald Trump added to his growing list of tariff plans Friday — this time by targeting imported automobiles — Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said it was “chilling” to hear a top White House adviser say Trump is serious about annexing Canada.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office the automobile duties would come into effect around April 2 — his latest move to disrupt the global economy and chart an increasingly protectionist path forward for America on trade.

News of the automobile levies comes after Trump signed an order Thursday to implement “reciprocal tariffs,” raising U.S. duties to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports. Those levies also could come into force early April.

The president’s enthusiasm for tariffs has led to a swelling inventory of tariff threats since Trump returned to the White House less than a month ago — and Canada has found itself caught in the crosshairs.

All 13 premiers travelled to Washington this week for the first time in history on a joint mission to push back on Trump’s escalating tariff threats. Provincial and territorial leaders had a meeting with two top White House advisers, who promised to bring their message directly to the president.

James Blair, White House deputy chief of staff, said later Wednesday that they “never agreed that Canada would not be the 51st state.”

Furey said he left the U.S. capital very aware that the president was launching an attack not just on Canada’s economy but on its sovereignty.

“It’s discouraging when I hear the words come out of the deputy chief of staff to the White House’s mouth that he’s not joking when he says the 51st state. I wouldn’t be Canadian if I wasn’t discouraged by that,” Furey said on CPAC Friday. “That is upsetting. It’s offensive and insulting.”

The diplomatic push came during a month-long pause on Trump’s plan to hit Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board duties, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy.

The president last week signed executive orders to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, including Canadian products, starting March 12.

“The tariffs are going to save a lot of industries,” Trump said Friday when asked about U.S. industries concerned about mounting duties.

Furey called Trump’s behaviour “erratic” and said he’s “continuously setting new parameters.” It’s time to revaluate the Team Canada strategy and Canada needs to draw a line in the sand, the premier said.

“And we cannot let the president erode that line or else there will be no sand, there will be no beach,” Furey said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2025.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press

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Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey arrives for a first ministers meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

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