Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro says U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs against Canada don’t make sense.
Shapiro, who supported Trump in the 2024 election and continues to do so, said that he does not understand why the president is imposing steep tariffs on Canadians goods and would much rather see Chinese or Mexican products hit with tariffs.
“I still don’t understand why we’re levying 25% tariffs on Canada. I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t understand that one,” said Shapiro in a Facebook post.
“In fact, I think we should have a much higher tariff on China because China is an actual geopolitical enemy. But I don’t understand what exactly we’re trying to pry out of the Canadians.”
Trump has given various reasons for imposing tariffs on Canada, including what he has called a significant trade deficit as well as issues with Canadian border security and the flow of illegal fentanyl into the United States from Canada.
Trump has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminum coming into America, including from Canada.
In the preceding weeks, Shapiro supported Trump’s tariff threats against Canada as a negotiating tactic to eventually achieve an equal trade relationship between the two countries.
In the lead up to Trump’s inauguration, Shapiro joked about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, suggesting that the United States would annex Canada and would only be spared if Poilievre were prime minister.
While Shapiro continues to support Trump, Shapiro has expressed his devout belief in free-market capitalism and the harms of tariffs on a country’s domestic economy.
Trump has continued to repeat his desire to make Canada the “51st state,” recently telling a room of Republican governors that he would allow Canada to keep its national anthem after annexation.
“I do like the ‘O Canada.’ It’s a great anthem. I think we’ll have to keep it for the 51st state,” said Trump.
In early February, Trump issued a 30-day extension before the United States would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods with the exception of Canadian energy products, subject to a 10 per cent tariff. The extension is subject to expire on March 5.
While many Republicans have supported Trump’s efforts to impose tariffs on Canada, others have been vocal in their opposition to them.
Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul has said he does not support the Trump administration’s tariffs, though he still supports the president.