Josh Shapiro criticizes Trump administration’s Canada tariffs, says move is damaging U.S. relationship with ally

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that President Donald Trump’s administration is making the United States’ economic relationship with Canada worse after the administration implemented new tariffs affecting trade between the two countries.

In remarks highlighted by The Hill, Shapiro said Trump is “destroying the relationship with one of our country’s strongest allies,” adding that, in his view, Trump has “chosen chaos and cruelty” since taking office.

Shapiro’s comments focused on what he described as the administration’s continued escalation of a trade dispute with Canada, characterizing the tariff move as a “reckless trade war” that he said would have spillover effects for the United States.

The governor, a Democrat, framed the tariffs as more than a policy adjustment, arguing that doubling down on the measure risks weakening cooperation with Canada rather than producing benefits for the United States.

Shapiro’s statement comes as the Trump administration’s tariffs on Canada remain a central issue in U.S. trade discussions, with the Pennsylvania governor offering a public rebuke of the policy direction and warning that it could strain ties with a major trading partner.

The Hill report did not include additional administrative details such as the specific tariff categories, dates of implementation, or the legal authority cited for the measure, and Shapiro’s remarks were presented as criticism of the administration’s approach rather than as a compilation of tariff specifics.