Fact Check: "Trump calls Canada's digital services tax a 'blatant attack' on U.S. companies."
What We Know
On June 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the cessation of trade negotiations with Canada, primarily due to the country's implementation of a digital services tax aimed at large technology firms, including U.S. companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon. In a post on his social media platform, Trump described the tax as “a direct and blatant attack on our Country” (Washington Post, New York Times). He further stated that the U.S. would halt all negotiations until Canada reconsiders its approach to the tax (AP News).
The digital services tax, which Canada planned to collect retroactively, has been criticized by U.S. officials across the political spectrum as it is perceived to unfairly target American companies (Reuters). The tax applies to companies earning over 20 million Canadian dollars from digital services, which has raised concerns among U.S. tech leaders about potential retaliatory measures and increased costs (Fox Business).
Analysis
The claim that Trump referred to Canada's digital services tax as a "blatant attack" on U.S. companies is supported by multiple credible sources. Trump's direct quotes from his social media post and subsequent remarks during a news conference confirm his characterization of the tax (Washington Post, New York Times).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The Washington Post and the New York Times have extensive coverage of U.S. politics and trade relations, providing context and analysis that support the claim. The Associated Press and Reuters also corroborate Trump's statements, adding further credibility to the assertion (AP News, Reuters).
While some might argue that Trump's rhetoric is politically charged, it is essential to note that the context of his comments relates to significant economic implications for U.S.-Canada trade relations. The digital services tax is indeed a contentious issue, with bipartisan criticism in the U.S. regarding its fairness and potential impact on American businesses (Fox Business).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump called Canada's digital services tax a "blatant attack" on U.S. companies is True. His statements, supported by multiple credible news sources, confirm that he characterized the tax in this manner and took significant action by halting trade negotiations with Canada in response.
