Trump says Canada being ‘taught a little lesson’ as U.S. trade war continues

U.S. President Donald Trump continued to rant about Canada during a White House event on Wednesday, where he accused the country of taking advantage of “stupid leadership for many, many years.”

Speaking at an event marking U.S. Hispanic Heritage Month, Trump said the United States was “so stupidly run” because automakers moved plants to other countries, including Canada.

“Canada has taken advantage of us for so many years, the worst of any country,” he said.

“I love the Canadian people, but the leaders have taken advantage of our stupid leadership for many, many years. They felt emboldened.”

The U.S. president added that he has “so many friends” from north of the border, name-dropping Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky before he continued to berate Canada.

“They act like they’re totally innocent. They’re not. They were very bad. But now they’re being taught a little lesson.”

Trump’s latest criticisms of Canada come amid the escalating trade war between the two countries. The U.S. import tariffs on certain Canadian goods, including most booze, dairy byproducts and some motorcycles, went into effect Tuesday.

With files from The Canadian Press