Trump Pressures Over Unresolved Tariffs via Social Media... Targeting Canada and India

Canada Criticized for Recognizing Palestine's State Status

India Criticized for 'Purchasing Russian Weapons and Energy'

"Will Make It Difficult to Conclude Trade Negotiations"... 25% Tariff Announced

Donald Trump, President of the United States, posted a series of late-night messages on social media, a day before the activation date (August 1) for the previously announced reciprocal tariffs, to pressure countries that have not concluded tariff negotiations.

At 12:29 a.m. on the 31st (local time), President Trump mentioned on Truth Social, "Wow! Canada just announced that it supports Palestine's state status. That will make it very difficult for us to conclude trade negotiations with them. Oh Canada!!!"

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared the previous day, "Canada intends to recognize Palestine as a state at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September." President Trump warned that this policy of the Canadian government would negatively impact bilateral tariff negotiations.

President Trump, who has pursued a strong pro-Israel policy, has maintained a lukewarm stance toward the so-called 'two-state solution' that recognizes both Israel and Palestine as independent states.

Last month, the United States delivered a diplomatic note to governments stating its official position of opposing any measures to potentially recognize Palestine as a state. U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said in a media interview that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is no longer a diplomatic objective for the United States.

The announced tariff rate for Canada by the United States is 35%. If negotiations are not concluded by August 1, this rate is expected to be applied to Canada.

At 12:00 a.m. that day, President Trump also posted about India on Truth Social. He stated, "I don't care what India does with Russia. Even if they drag their dead economies down together, that is not my concern."

He added, "We have done very little trade with India, and India's tariffs are so high—among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the U.S. have minimal trade. Let's keep it that way."

Previously, through Truth Social, he pointed out, "At a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine, India has always purchased most of its military equipment from Russia and, along with China, is the largest importer of Russian energy," signaling a 25% tariff on India and stepping up the pressure.

Ahead of the tariff activation date, the United States has concluded trade negotiations with countries including South Korea, the United Kingdom, the European Union (EU), Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia.

However, Brazil, India, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, and others have not yet concluded negotiations with the United States. President Trump signed an executive order imposing a total tariff of 50% on Brazil (an additional 40% on top of the existing 10%) the previous day.

Park Subin, Hankyung.com reporter waterbean@hankyung.com