California Governor Gavin Newsom predicts that internal pressure within the Republican Party will compel U.S. President Donald Trump to resume negotiations with Canada. In an interview with CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Newsom highlighted the current challenges facing Trump within his own party. The timing of this development is crucial as the upcoming U.S. midterm elections will serve as a litmus test for Trump’s presidency, with Republicans risking the loss of their majority control in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Recent trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. reached an impasse, leading Prime Minister Mark Carney to suspend negotiations. Shortly after, Trump implemented new tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods. Nevertheless, Newsom expressed confidence that Trump cannot afford to prolong the halt in negotiations and expects him to return to the negotiating table within a matter of days or at most, a few weeks.
Newsom reiterated California’s stance, emphasizing their disapproval of Trump’s actions towards Canada. He criticized Trump, calling him an “invasive species” in the White House and expressed embarrassment as an American. The trade war has taken a toll on California, with the state’s wine industry suffering consequences such as a significant drop in exports to Canada. Newsom acknowledged the challenges faced by California wine producers, attributing their hardships to Trump’s policies.
Despite the setbacks, Newsom acknowledged the complexities of the situation and praised Carney’s approach in dealing with Trump. He emphasized the importance of strength and conviction in negotiations with Trump, noting that the President respects strength but not weakness. While Newsom is not seeking re-election as governor of California, speculation surrounds his potential candidacy for the Democratic ticket in the 2028 presidential election. When asked if his stance against Trump’s tariffs is influenced by future political ambitions, Newsom stated that his actions are not driven by electoral considerations but did not rule out the possibility of a future presidential bid.