California Governor Gavin Newsom predicts that internal pressure within the Republican Party will compel U.S. President Donald Trump to return to the negotiating table with Canada. In an interview with CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Newsom stated that Trump is facing significant criticism from his own party. This development comes ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, which will serve as a litmus test for Trump’s administration as Republicans risk losing their majority control in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
The breakdown of trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. occurred recently, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney to suspend negotiations. Subsequently, Trump imposed new tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods. Despite this, Newsom expressed confidence that Trump cannot afford to prolong the pause in negotiations.
Newsom firmly conveyed California’s stance, emphasizing their disapproval of Trump’s behavior towards Canada. He anticipated Trump’s return to the negotiation table within a matter of days or at most a few weeks. Newsom criticized Trump, describing him as an “invasive species” in the White House and expressed embarrassment as an American.
The ongoing trade war has had a harsh impact on California, particularly affecting the state’s wine industry. California wines have been absent from most Canadian provinces’ shelves for over a year, leading to a significant drop in wine exports to Canada. Newsom acknowledged the hardships faced by California wine producers and attributed the situation to Trump’s actions.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by California’s wine industry, Newsom commended Carney’s handling of the situation, noting that Trump respects strength and not weakness. Despite not seeking re-election as California’s governor, Newsom is speculated to be a potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential race. When questioned about his motivations against Trump’s tariffs, Newsom denied any posturing for a future political bid but did not rule out the possibility of running for higher office in the future.