Fact Check: "Trump calls Canada's digital tax a 'direct and blatant attack' on the US."
What We Know
On June 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the suspension of trade talks with Canada due to the country's plans to implement a digital services tax aimed at large tech companies, including U.S. firms like Amazon, Google, and Meta. In his statement, Trump described the tax as "a direct and blatant attack on our country" (AP News). He indicated that the tax, which was set to take effect shortly, would impose a 3% levy on revenue generated by these companies from Canadian users, and he expressed that the U.S. would respond with tariffs on Canadian goods (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that Trump referred to Canada's digital tax as "a direct and blatant attack" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Both the Associated Press and The Washington Post reported Trump's exact phrasing in their coverage of the announcement (AP News, Washington Post). Furthermore, Trump's comments were made in the context of a broader trade negotiation strategy, where he has historically used strong language to assert U.S. interests against perceived threats from foreign policies.
The digital services tax has been a contentious issue, drawing criticism from U.S. officials across the political spectrum, who argue that it discriminates against American companies (Al Jazeera). This context adds weight to Trump's assertion, as it reflects ongoing tensions in U.S.-Canada trade relations, particularly regarding tech industry regulations.
In evaluating the reliability of the sources, both the Associated Press and The Washington Post are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. Their reports are corroborated by additional outlets, including CNBC and Al Jazeera, which also reported on Trump's remarks and the implications of the tax (CNBC, Al Jazeera).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump called Canada's digital tax "a direct and blatant attack" on the U.S. is True. This statement is directly supported by multiple credible news sources that reported on Trump's announcement regarding the suspension of trade talks with Canada. Given the context of ongoing trade negotiations and the implications of the digital services tax, Trump's remarks reflect a significant stance on U.S. economic interests.
Sources
- Trump says he's terminating trade talks with Canada over ... AP News
- Trump halts trade talks with Canada, defending interests ... Washington Post
- What is Canada's digital tax and why is Trump killing trade ... Al Jazeera
- Trump ends all U.S. trade talks with Canada over digital ... CNBC
