‘They are the nicest people’: Barack Obama ridicules Trump’s trade war with Canada

Former U.S. president Barack Obama has turned Canada into the punchline of an attack on U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies, mocking his tariffs against one of America’s closest allies and warning that the measures are pushing prices higher for consumers.

Speaking at a Democratic campaign rally in Detroit on Saturday, Obama sarcastically described Canada as a “well-known evil empire,” before pointing out how unusual it was for Washington to be at odds with its northern neighbour.

The remarks come as Trump’s trade war with Canada remains a contentious issue ahead of next month’s U.S. midterm elections, with economic ties between the two countries particularly significant in Michigan, a major automotive manufacturing state where the automotive sector relies on deeply integrated supply chains connecting Canadian and American factories.

Obama argued that tariffs were working against Trump’s promises to bring down prices, particularly in an industry where manufacturing depends on parts moving across the Canada-U.S. border.

In his speech, Obama noted that building a vehicle involves components sourced from multiple locations in both countries, meaning tariffs can raise costs throughout the production process rather than simply making imported goods more expensive.

“He was warned,” Obama said of Trump’s tariff policy. “This will drive prices up. This does not lower prices.”

Obama also mocked the deterioration in relations between the two countries, highlighting Canada’s proximity to the United States and its cultural contributions.

“These are the people who gave us Martin Short … and maple syrup,” he said, describing Canadians as among the nicest people.

He suggested Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada and make it the 51st U.S. state, alongside his trade measures, had helped fuel Canadian anger toward Washington.

The former U.S. president’s comments come amid a widening trade dispute that has affected a range of Canadian industries, including steel, aluminum, lumber and automotive manufacturing.

Canada has responded to U.S. trade measures with counter-tariffs, adding pressure to a relationship that supports businesses, workers and consumers on both sides of the border.

Obama also linked the tariff debate to the broader affordability challenge facing Americans, arguing that Trump’s approach had failed to deliver the lower prices he promised.

With files from The Canadian Press