‘Mind-Boggling’: Fox News Host Asks Commerce Sec. Why Trump Doesn’t Just ‘Eliminate the Tariffs’ Already
Fox News host Martha MacCallum pressed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on why President Donald Trump doesn’t just drop tariffs on Canada and end the nascent trade war between it and the U.S.
Trump imposed several tariffs on several countries after taking office while also enacting tariffs on aluminum and steel, regardless of country of origin. The moves have prompted a wave of retaliatory tariffs, particularly from Canada, which Trump has insisted become “the 51st state.”
Lutnick appeared on Thursday’s episode of The Story on Fox News, where he told Martha MacCallum that Canada only exists because of the U.S.
“You have to remember, Canada exists leaning on our economy,” he said. “Let’s face it, cars used to be made in America. Why did Michigan’s cars move to Canada to break out of the [United Auto Workers]? That is just unfair to American workers and American union workers… Donald Trump’s got their back and is wondering why a car is made in Canada. Why we are doing all this business in Canada if they’re not respectful, if they’re not thankful, and they don’t want to do it?”
Lutnick threw shade at Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who earlier this week threatened to hike the price of electricity exports to the U.S. by 25%, but backed down after Trump pledged to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
“He learned a lesson,” Lutnick said of Ford. “We’re gonna come in and talk, but what should you expect? You should expect exactly what you heard President Trump said today. What are you doing for us?”
MacCallum responded by noting the on-again, off-again nature of the tariffs and asked why Trump doesn’t just end the trade war.
“So, why not just eliminate the tariffs between Canada and the United States?” she inquired. “Is that a place that we can get to? Because it’s mind-boggling. Like, 25%, no 50%, no, we’re back to 25%. Why not just eliminate all tariffs?”
“Fox Canada would like that,” Lutnick replied, imagining a fictional network.
“I’m just asking the question!” MacCallum shot back. “I heard President Trump say moments ago, $200 million we send in aid to Canada, so are we gonna eliminate that? I mean, tell me what the starting points are. That’s what I want to know.”
“The starting point is that we care about America first,” Lutnick replied. “We care about American workers first. And we want to bring back those jobs to America. So, we’re going to bring back more and more jobs to America.”
Watch above via Fox News.
