Trump to EU Pushing 'Canada Associate Membership': "Impose Tariffs or Halt Trade"

Trump warns EU pushing 'Canada associate membership': "Impose tariffs or halt trade"

"If considered a hostile act" premise... "No possibility of Canada becoming an associate member"

"Kennedy Center must acknowledge administration's contributions to secure renovation subsidies"

On the 16th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump warned the European Union (EU) of potential additional tariffs, stating that the EU's proposal to grant Canada the status of its first associate member could be considered a "hostile" act.

President Trump, who was in North Carolina for a regional schedule, told reporters after disembarking from Air Force One that he sees "no possibility" of Canada becoming an EU associate member when asked about the possibility.

President Trump warned, "If they do that, and I consider it a hostile act, I will impose very high tariffs or stop trade with Europe on many items."

He further emphasized, "If it's done in good faith, that's fine, but if it's with bad intentions, we will impose very high tariffs on Europe, and that is possible."

He also criticized Canada, which previously had trade disputes with the United States, calling it a " terrible trade partner."

Regarding the situation of the Iran conflict, he said, "We hope the war is nearing its end," and "They want a deal, and we will see what happens."

He reiterated, "Iran wants a deal very strongly."

Meanwhile, President Trump emphasized that if the Kennedy Center, a prominent performing arts venue in Washington D.C., wants to proceed with renovation work amidst financial difficulties, it "will need massive subsidies in the future," and "as our administration is pushing for that, the administration's contributions must be acknowledged."

The Kennedy Center board, after facing a court injunction that hindered their efforts to put President Trump's name on the building's exterior, had renewed efforts last month to display President Trump's contributions to the center's restoration and remodeling on the exterior.

However, when the court did not allow even this, the board decided to close the center, citing financial difficulties and aging facilities.

The board, mostly comprised of Trump appointees, argues that if President Trump's contributions are not appropriately displayed at the center, the possibility of financial support from President Trump for the remodeling is slim.