Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz strongly criticized President Donald Trump in a recent MSNBC interview, calling him the "worst business executive" he's ever seen and slamming him for his ongoing trade war with Canada. Walz said Trump's policies have hurt Minnesota's economy, especially its agricultural sector, which relies heavily on trade with its northern neighbor.
‘When Was Canada Our Enemy?’
Speaking with MSNBC's Chris Hayes on March 13, the former Democratic vice presidential candidate criticized Trump's trade war and its devastating effects on Minnesota farmers.
"First of all, they’re our biggest trading partners," Walz said, referring to Canada. "It's incredibly disruptive."
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He said that Minnesota gets 90% of its potash, a key fertilizer ingredient, from Canada, and trade disruptions have increased costs for local farmers. Meanwhile, retaliatory tariffs from Canada have made it harder for Minnesota producers to sell their goods.
"So many Minnesotans are asking, when was Canada our enemy?" he said. "It makes no sense."
Trump Signed The Deal
Walz also reminded Trump and his supporters that the trade agreement in place today is one that Trump himself signed.
"He negotiated the damn trade deal with them," Walz pointed out. "If trade is so bad with Canada, he was the guy who signed the deal."
Trump has repeatedly attacked trade relationships with Canada, at times seriously suggesting annexing the country as the 51st state. But Walz said the consequences of Trump's erratic policies are no laughing matter.
"We have become untrustworthy," he said. "If they are buying our soybeans or they’re buying our corn, they’re going to go look for a fair trading partner."
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‘The Worst Business Executive I've Ever Seen’
Walz delivered a scathing critique of Trump's approach to trade and the economy. "He stiffed contractors, he stiffed workers, he doesn't pay his bills, he declares bankruptcy," Walz said. "The one thing is, his claim that he’s the business president—he is the worst possible business executive that I have ever witnessed."
He also called out Trump's supporters in the business world, including Tesla TSLA CEO Elon Musk, for backing what he sees as destructive policies.
‘We Lost Markets That Took Us Decades to Cultivate’
Walz warned that Trump's trade policies have caused long-term damage. He recalled how, during Trump's presidency, farmers were subsidized just to stay afloat as they lost access to key markets.
"We lost markets that took us decades to cultivate," he said. "They went to Brazil, they went to Argentina, and now we've got a surplus of products, high input costs, and nowhere to sell them."
A Call for Business Leaders to Speak Up
Walz urged the business community to push back against Trump's economic policies.
"I need the business community to speak up," he said. "The Wall Street Journal, thank you. Thank you for saying this is the stupidest trade war because I've been saying it. Now I can go back to my constituents—Republican constituents—and say this is the reality of what you’re facing."
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