By Canadian Press

Trump calls Freeland ‘a whack’ and Poilievre ‘not a MAGA guy’ as tariff threat looms

Feb 28, 2025 | 9:03 AM

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing in on domestic Canadian politics as his deadline to impose steep tariffs on Canada inches closer.

In an interview with The Spectator, Trump called Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland terrible and “a whack” — and claimed credit for her resignation as finance minister.

Trump also remarked on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, saying that “his biggest problem is he’s not a MAGA guy.”

An edited transcript of the Thursday interview with Trump did not provide any new insights into what Canada might do to stop the devastating duties from going forward next week.

Trump’s executive order to implement 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy, was delayed until March 4 after both countries agreed to introduce new security measures at the border.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: February 10-16, 2025

Feb 10, 2025

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: January 29-February 2, 2025

Jan 29, 2025

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: January 20-26, 2025

Jan 20, 2025

Trump said Thursday he hadn’t seen any progress from Canada and Mexico.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 28, 2025.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.