Amid rising tariff dispute, US President Donald Trump reportedly questioned the legitimacy of the US-Canada border treaty and suggested revising the boundary during a conversation with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, according to the New York Times.
Citing sources familiar with the discussion, the report mentioned that in a February 3 call, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the 1908 border treaty and raised concerns over shared water agreements.
He also voiced frustration over trade issues, including Canada’s protected dairy sector, banking regulations, and consumption taxes that he claims put American goods at a disadvantage.
Canada PM Trudeau, responding to the tariff measures, dismissed Trump’s justification as “completely bogus” and accused him of seeking to weaken Canada’s economy for potential annexation.
The report further highlighted Trump’s push to reconsider agreements governing shared lakes and rivers, as well as his interest in removing Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. He also explored the possibility of withdrawing from bilateral military agreements, including NORAD.
While secretary of state Marco Rubio has downplayed concerns over military cooperation, Canadian officials remain deeply unsettled, viewing the administration’s actions as a shift in US-Canada relations rather than empty threats.