Obama brands Canada an 'evil empire' as U.S. trade deadline approaches

Former U.S. president Barack Obama launched a sharp critique of the current administration's trade policy while campaigning in Cleveland on Saturday. He targeted the tariffs imposed on Canada, a longstanding ally, during a rally for Democratic candidates in Ohio.

Obama joked that the "big trade war" currently unfolding is against a "well-known evil empire." He identified that empire as Canada, noting the country provided Americans with maple syrup and the comedian Martin Short. He described Canadians as the "nicest people" and "friendly neighbours to the north," questioning why the administration would pick a fight with them.

The former president argued that the tariffs have produced the expected negative results, with American consumers absorbing the higher costs. These rising prices have weighed on Republican chances in the upcoming midterm elections, particularly in border states where voters feel the financial pinch.

The political timing of the speech coincided with a shift in the White House's public stance. On Friday, President Donald Trump announced plans to lift tariffs on certain Canadian products. This move comes as the two nations have exchanged retaliatory tariffs since last year. The initial levies were justified by claims of fentanyl trafficking and trade imbalances, but formal trade talks collapsed in August.

Despite the signal of potential relief, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc told CBC's Power & Politics that Ottawa does not anticipate a finalized deal before the November 3 vote. The administration has previously cited the trade deficit as a primary grievance against its northern neighbor.

President Trump has also used Canada as a focal point in his own recent campaign stops. Speaking in Highland Heights, Ky., on October 17, he claimed the U.S. had lost "billions and billions of dollars" over the years. He expressed confidence that an "amazing" deal would eventually be reached, even as he criticized Canadian leadership.

During that speech, Trump referred to former prime minister Justin Trudeau as a "loser," a remark that drew cheers from the crowd. He then addressed Prime Minister Mark Carney, calling him a "nice guy" who becomes less friendly during trade negotiations. Trump concluded that Canada is currently "learning and suffering" under the pressure of the new tariffs.