Your World Tonight - Trump threatens Canada again, Knocking down provincial trade barriers, Invictus games and more

Episode Date: February 9, 2025

In an exclusive Fox News interview, U.S President Donald Trump once again reiterated his threat of making Canada the 51st state. He also made a surprise announcement on Air Force One - saying he'll impose new tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports as early as Monday.Also: More and more Canadians say they want to "buy Canadian" and trade with each other - reigniting a movement to break down trade barriers between the provinces. It's also making some Canadians second-guess travel down south. And: Athletes from around the world are in B.C. for the 2025 Invictus Games. Prince Harry launched the event 11 years ago to honour injured military and service personnel. But this year, it's also about bridging political divides.Plus: Super Bowl Sunday, an investigation into Alberta's health authority, more Palestinians return to northern Gaza, and more.

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But it's time to imagine what we can do with more. Join Scarborough Health Network and together, we can turn grit into greatness. Donate at lovescarborough.ca. This is a CBC Podcast. Hi, I'm Stephanie Scanderres and this is your World Tonight. We lose $200 billion a year with Canada, and I'm not going to let that happen. If they're a 51st state, I don't mind doing it.

Donald Trump, again, threatens Canada's sovereignty. And it's in part because of those threats that our Prime Minister is in Europe. With one month left on the job, Justin Trudeau is trying to strengthen trade and security relations with other allies. Plus, the promise of tariffs from the U.S. could be just what this country needs to make it easier for Canadians to trade with each other. And... I think we all just want to, you know, feel like we have meaning in this world and feel like we've left our mark. NFL players say what drives them to go for Super Bowl glory. More U.S. tariffs are coming soon.

Donald Trump made the surprise announcement today on Air Force One where he also said Canada is not a quote viable country and doesn't spend enough on the military. And in a separate interview, the US president once again threatened Canada's independence. Caroline Bargout is in Washington with more. Caroline, I want to start with Trump's Super Bowl interview with Fox News, where he was asked again whether this idea of making Canada the 51st state is a real thing. Well it really sure seems like it.

But US President Donald Trump didn't say how he would want to accomplish that. Now in an exclusive interview with Fox News reporter Brett Baier had asked Trump about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's belief that he was serious about making Canada part of the US. And this is what Trump said. Is it a real thing? Yeah, it is. I think Canada would be much better off being a 50 first state because we lose 200 billion dollars a year with Canada.

And I'm not going to let that happen. If they're a 50 first state, I don't mind doing it. Now, Trump's national security adviser, Mike Walsh, was on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday morning and he was asked the same thing. This is what he said. I think the Canadian people would, many of them, would love to join the United States with no tariffs, with lower taxes. And I have all kinds of neighbors down in Florida that are Canadians that are escaping

many of the liberal policies and have moved in. Wall says there are no plans to invade Canada. Now just to be clear, Donald Trump hasn't threatened to invade Canada, but he has said that he would use economic force to absorb Canada into the US. Yeah, okay. So we'll come back to that $200 billion claim of his, but let's talk more about this economic force. We know that these tariffs are on hold until March.

Could Canada still see levies imposed after the month is up, after so much has been done to counter what Trump already asked us to do with regards to fentanyl and migrants in the border? Well, the short answer is yes. And here is Trump's exchange with Bayer. immigrants in the border? Well, the short answer is yes. And here is Trump's exchange with Bayer. You announced tariffs on Canada and Mexico. You immediately got action from both of them on border security and drug interdiction. I did. A lot of action. Is that good enough?

Is that good enough? No, it's not good enough. So later from Air Force One, Trump said that he would be announcing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum that's coming into the United States on Monday. Now when he was asked about the possibility of higher prices because of the tariffs, here's how Trump responded on Fox News. I think we're going to become a rich, and look, we're not that rich right now. We owe $36 trillion.

That's because we let all these nations take advantage of us. Same thing like 200 billion with Canada. We owe 300. We have a deficit with Mexico of 350 billion dollars. I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to let that happen. So that 200 billion dollar figure, well, U.S. government data suggests that the trade deficit with Canada was actually 55 billion U.S. as of last November. So while Trump has been claiming for the past few weeks, as you know, that the are about protecting the border, it really is starting to sound a lot

more likely that the tariffs are going to be imposed because Trump doesn't like the trade deficit with Canada. Yeah a trade deficit that I mean the Canadian government data suggests that their deficit is really on the part of oil and gas and if you take that away they actually have a surplus but he's been throwing around these these numbers for a long time now. Okay Caroline, thank you so much. Thanks.

CBC's Caroline Bargout in Washington. Now the promise of a trade war is forcing Canada to shore up alliances overseas. The Prime Minister is in the EU this week where countries are also living under the looming shadow of threatened tariffs from the US. Olivia Stefanovic is following Trudeau's five-day trip and reports to us from Paris. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arriving at the Palais de l'Elysée, the official residence of the French president, for a private dinner this evening with Emmanuel Macron.

A chance for the two allies to have a frank discussion before meeting with other world leaders at a global artificial intelligence summit. Earlier in the day, Trudeau spoke at a roundtable of big tech leaders, including Amazon, Dell and IBM. We will also be working to empower innovators like all of you to drive further economic growth around the world. The AI conference drew Trudeau to Paris, but escalating threats from the new US president are giving his trip even more purpose. Nobody knows what Donald Trump is going to do next. Everybody is on the edge of their seat. Rulon Paris is a former adviser to Trudeau, who now heads the Graduate School of Public

and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. He says this is a crucial moment for Canada to strengthen its alliances. Europeans in Canada are facing similar kinds of uncertainty with regard to the United States. I'm sure that they're going to want to share notes about what they expect to come from Trump and how they might respond. And, you know, they might want to talk about how they might coordinate with each other in extreme situations. Along with Greenland, Gaza and the Panama Canal, Trump is threatening the sovereignty of Canada. What I'd like to see Canada become our 51st state.

Warning of using economic pressure to achieve his goal even though he agreed to a reprieve for now. And the work that Canada will continue to do to advocate against the tariffs will be what we are doing. International Trade Minister Mary Ing is also in Europe strategizing with other leaders who are facing the possibility of crushing US levies against their goods.

What more can we be doing to help Canadian businesses enter into the any of the 27 member states that's here in the European Union? Canada has a free trade agreement with the EU but it's not ratified in 10 countries including France where the Prime Minister is currently visiting and Brussels where he's off to next. Olivia Estefanovic, CBC News, Paris. Germany's Chancellor says Europe is prepared to respond to US tariffs. Olaf Scholz was asked at a pre-election debate if there's a plan in place should the US decide to impose tariffs. Scholz says the EU will be able to act within an hour but didn't give any specifics. Meanwhile more and more Canadians say they want to buy Canadian,

trade more with each other. It's reigniting a movement to break down trade barriers between the provinces and also making some Canadians second-guess traveling down south. JP Tasker brings us reaction from both sides of the border. A vast amount of people are only purchasing Made in Canada products. The buy Canadian movement has become a huge force in the last week alone and it's upending the retail industry. Grocery store owners like Marilyn Dibb are astounded by just how quickly Canadians have dumped American products in the wake of US President Donald Trump's tariff threats.

They are completely boycotting the American-made product. And at the Canada-US border, officials are reporting a huge drop in southbound traffic at some ports of entry. In Blaine, Washington near Vancouver, wait times are a fraction of what they normally are on a Sunday, let alone Superbowl's Sunday. All of that has lawmakers furious with the president. It unnecessarily harms a relationship with Canada that's been such a good relationship. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says Canadian demand for bourbon has dropped off in the wake of Trump's aggression. His state is responsible for 95% of the world's supply, and it can't afford to lose big buyers

like Ontario's LCBO. Bashir is on a charm offensive to staunch the bleeding. Most Americans didn't vote for the president on these issues. They don't view Canada in the way that he does. Neighbouring Illinois does big business with Canada too, for the state's number one trading partner. It sent $30 billion worth of goods north last year, and a lot of it was food.

We're really concerned about the instability that he's creating. Trump's put that in jeopardy, says Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski. Just making it that much more difficult for our farmers to keep their heads above water. It's just making it that much more difficult for our farmers to keep their heads above water. It's very serious. Minister Anita Onand is working with the provinces to quickly dismantle decades-old

internal trade barriers to help the economy along if Trump delivers on his tariff threat. The potential now is vast because we need to have one Canadian economy, not 13 separate Canadian economies. Canada needs to become more self-sufficient, whatever Trump does in the end, she says. Each and every one of us wants Canada to remain strong and free and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure that occurs. While some Canadians have soured on the U.S., the country's 13 premiers are headed to Washington this week to smooth things over, part of a diplomatic push to get Trump to drop the tariffs

for good. J.P. Tasker, CBC News, Ottawa. Still ahead, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith responds to an investigation involving the province's health authority and allegations around potential conflicts of interest. That story is coming up on Your World Tonight. The city of Springfield, Ohio is suing a neo-Nazi group, accusing it of intimidation and inciting violence against Haitian immigrants. The lawsuit alleges the hate group Blood Tribe began a racist campaign against Haitians last

summer. It culminated with harassment, bomb threats, and death threats against locals who defended the Haitian residents. Springfield became a flashpoint during the U.S. presidential election campaign after Donald Trump and JD Vance falsely claimed Haitians in Springfield were eating people's pets. The lawsuit does not mention Trump or Vance but says Blood Tribe's leaders took credit for bringing the global spotlight to Springfield. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are heading back to their homes in northern Gaza

after Israeli forces withdrew from checkpoints dividing north and south. This was a key part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Negotiations for a next phase are underway but have been complicated by the US president. Philipp Lee Shennach reports. A long line of trucks and people carrying their belongings make their way across the Netzerim corridor, the road that divides Gaza into north and south. Ammohamed says the Palestinian people have endured.

We've been patient under the rockets and strikes. They've deprived us of food and water, but we're still alive. The Israeli pullout is a key condition of the ceasefire deal under the rockets and strikes. They've deprived us of food and water, but we're still alive. The Israeli pullout is a key condition of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel. Hani Al-Zanin is eager to see what's left of his home. Thank God the road was good and the army have withdrawn. We're feeling good. There's safety.

Thank God for safety. But Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharon Haskell says the ceasefire, which ends in three weeks, has led to the release of hundreds of Hamas militants. This deal wasn't a good deal for Israel, but it is the deal that released our family members and that's why we've committed to it. And negotiating the next phase will be difficult. Israel wants Hamas dismantled and Hamas wants a complete Israeli withdrawal. The goal is to make sure that the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust will never happen again.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump's statements about taking control of Gaza, relocating its people and turning it into a vacation hot spot has complicated negotiations. The Riviera of the Middle East, this could be something that could be so magnificent. This is a real estate approach to foreign policy. Alon Pincus is a former Israeli foreign policy adviser. He's talking about relocating or expelling or cleansing or temporarily moving, call it what you want, 2.3 million people who have no place to go. The prospect of suicide bombs and rocket attacks is not exactly conducive to high real estate values.

Jack Cunningham teaches international relations at University of Toronto's Trinity College. He says Trump's statements have undermined U.S. credibility in the region at a time when talks to extend or make the ceasefire permanent are overdue. I think the best that can be cobbled together is some sort of fairly temporary and rather fragile arrangement. Whether there are the makings of a long-term agreement there, I'm very skeptical. U.S. allies in the region, the Gulf states, also have expressed no interest in the president's plan and to date Turkey said there's no point in even discussing it.

Philip E. Shannok, CBC News, Toronto. People in Ecuador have gone to the polls in the presidential election. Cameras capture President Daniel Naboa as he casts his ballot. The 37-year-old conservative millionaire took office just 15 months ago in a snap election after the former president stepped down during impeachment proceedings. Nuboa is widely expected to win. He campaigned on a tough-on-crime message and says his move to deploy the military in Ecuador's streets and prisons helped reduce violent deaths by 15

But the race could go to a runoff in April if no candidate is able to get an outright majority of votes In Alberta premier Danielle Smith is denying any wrongdoing in a scandal involving the province's health authority. Alberta's Auditor General is getting involved. Julia Wong explains. Amid allegations of potential conflicts of interest, a probe by Alberta's Auditor General, Doug Wiley will examine Alberta Health and Alberta Health Service contracts and procurement processes around private surgical facilities, medication, and COVID-19 PPE, areas that have previously been under scrutiny. The Auditor General announced his investigation on the heels of a letter obtained by the Globe and Mail where former AHS CEO,

Athana Menzelopoulos, claimed political interference and alleged she was fired days before she was due to meet with the AG about her own investigation into procurement and contracts. CBC News has not seen the letter. The Alberta Health Ministry denies Menselopolis was fired because of her review. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith calls the allegations troubling and wants an expedited review by the AG. She said in a statement Saturday, quote, As Premier, I was not involved in any wrongdoing, unquote.

Mike Parker, the president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, says he wants answers. We need to get this sorted out. We need the public to know exactly what's going on and what we've paid for and what we haven't received. Because at risk here is our entire health care system. The concerns resonate deeply, says Laurie Williams, a professor of policy studies at Mount Royal University.

It touches on the two most important issues for Albertans, health care and affordability. And now we have a health care system that is being revamped by a government. AHS says it's reviewing procurement practices. It paused awarding contracts to the parties in that review, but it won't name them. Meanwhile, the official opposition wants a public inquiry, NDP leader Mahed Nenshi.

These are by far the strongest allegations I have ever seen against an Alberta government. There's no timeline on when the auditor general will finish his investigation. Political scientist Duane Bratt is with Mount Royal University. There's clearly a lot of epic questions and there's a lot of smoke. We'll have to see if there's any fire. Menselopolis, the former AHS CEO, has not commented.

The next time Smith is expected before cameras is a terror-focused trip to Washington later this week. Julia Wong, CBC News, Edmonton. You're listening to Your World Tonight from CBC News. And if you want to make sure you never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts. Just find the follow button and lock us in. Athletes from around the world are in BC for the 2025 Invictus Games. Prince Harry launched the event 11 years ago to honor injured military and service personnel. But this year it's also about bridging political divides.

Yvette Brand reports. And I look at the athletes who are here today and I make you all honorary Canadians. I see your spirit. You got that Canadian spirit inside you. It's amazing. BC Premier David Eby welcoming hundreds of athletes as thousands of spectators gathered at BC Play Saturday where a star-studded ceremony kicked off the Invictus Games. Team United States entering BC Play Stadium, always a very competitive team. Eby giving a nod to the current trade war brewing between Canada and the U.S.

And look, I know our countries are having a moment right now, right? There is not a Canadian that does not know that our soldiers have fought and died and cried and celebrated beside Americans for generations. That harmony souring slightly this week in several cities where Canadians booed the American anthem at sports games. Oh, say can you see. Canada!

None of that evident among fans this weekend, eager to watch the adaptive games that honour soldiers injured in service. Gillian Parker, a retired physiotherapist, used to work with people who suffered debilitating injuries. It's what it's all about, isn't it? It really is. For people to come out and enjoy and be impressed and amazed by what everybody can do, disabled or not. Invictus athletes agree the focus here is healing and sport. Afghanistan veteran and former US Marine Robert Dominguez says he's leaving politics to the politicians.

I just let them deal with what they have to deal with and we just continue to compete and support each other as athletes. Wheelchair basketball player Moses Joseph Debraska says he's heard about how US tariffs threaten Canadians from fellow players. It's really saddening honestly concerning the dollar value amount and the tariffs being on it. It's just I feel for them it's really hard especially on your guys's economy and your guys's um just country so um yeah I just it just breaks my heart honestly. But he says he's experienced no tension only support from fellow Canadian athletes. They just embrace us it It's amazing honestly. They're able to put aside everything else and still embrace us.

Like it's amazing. And Eby says despite the current trade tensions, Canada and the U.S. are longtime allies. And I'll tell you as a politician that it doesn't matter what the politicians say. Because if you need us, you just say the word USA. Invictus Games a reminder that even deep wounds can be healed. Yvette Brand, CBC News, Vancouver. At the Super Bowl in New Orleans, reigning champs, the Kansas City Chiefs

are attempting something that has never happened before in the NFL, a three-peat. Winning three straight championships is a daunting feat, one that takes skill, ambition, and some luck. Freelance reporter Steve Futterman looked at the motivation behind this goal and why it's about more than just the glory. Last year, just one day after the Kansas City Chiefs won their second straight Super Bowl, the Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was already talking about winning three in a row. It's legendary. No one's ever done it.

He is right. In the Super Bowl era, which began in 1967, eight teams have won two straight. There has never been a three-peat. The San Francisco 49ers and the Great Joe Montana came the closest in the 1990 season, but in the NFC championship game, lost on a last second field goal. And the kick is good. There will be no three-peat. This week here in New

Orleans, the Kansas City Chiefs have been asked over and over to talk about the possibility of a three Pete Kansas City assistant head coach Dave Tobe. I think it's in human nature. I think it's the fact that you can, you

can make history and set a record. Uh, you know, and players, players and coaches are so competitive that that carrot is something that they just they have to have, they have to strive for. Travis Kelce, the Chiefs star tied in degrees, this is a bit more complex than just scoring the most points. The homs to Kelce, touchdown Chiefs.

I think we all just want to, you know, feel like we have meaning in this world and feel like we've we've left our mark. But might there also be something in the human psyche that contributes to this? One aspect of this relates to something called dopamine. Now, this is a chemical that's found in our brain. Tulane University Neuroscience Professor Elizabeth Engler-Scherazzi says chemicals are a part of it. These systems all work together to motivate our behavior so that we seek out this experience that leaves us feeling good over and over.

The Chiefs have had that feel good experience the last two seasons. Now they have a chance for that same feeling again. I think it's just maximizing our time on this earth, maximizing this life. Nico Remigio, Kansas City's pump returner, had a key return in the Chiefs' last game that helped get them into Sunday's finale. There he goes, down the sideline! Remigio still on his feet!

He says there's a philosophical part to this as well. You know, what is our life without purpose? And I feel like with a purpose, it gives us a reason to wake up every day and do what we do and, you know, what is what is our life without purpose? And I feel like with a purpose it gives us a reason to wake up every day and do what we do and You know, why not try to be the greatest to ever do it? Joe Montana couldn't do it even the great Tom Brady had a chance to win three straight and came up short Now it's the turn of the Kansas City Chiefs to try for a super hat trick Steve Futterman for CBC News at the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

From the Chiefs versus Eagles to another legendary rivalry. And I'm not even talking about halftime act, Kendrick Lamar versus Drake. No, this one trades a New Orleans football field for a Northeastern Ontario curling rink. Forget Super Bowl 59. This is the 100th Baxter Cup. farmers for the 730 draw. It's quite, you know, momentous and historic, but it's also something you're quite proud of, to be your own little personal part of this storied history. That's David Galant speaking to CBC News Sudbury.

David's the Baxter Cup trustee for the town of Espinola, an hour west of Sudbury. Every year for a hundred years, Espinola takes on the town of Little Current, which is on Manitoulin Island. It all started back in 1925 with a friendly game that ended in a draw, so the players stayed the night, but then they couldn't stop playing. And we're curling in the hallways with chamber pots when they couldn't break the tie. They consulted local hardware store owner George Baxter

who created a trophy and a new competition with a rule. No ties. Over the years the tournament has survived war, a burned down club, a pandemic that forced the players to reschedule and be socially distanced. But the Baxter Cup will always live on. Thanks, David Galant says, to the shared camaraderie and history. Nothing's really going to stop this.

The competition is one thing but it's just to be a little part of the history is what will give it legs and will keep it going. The 100th Baxter Cup is underway this weekend. We'll leave you with a great little Canadian curling song to market. From Winnipeg, this is The Weaker Thans with Tournament of Hearts on your World Tonight. I'm Stephanie Scanderis.

Thanks for listening. Right up to what I want to say Why can't I ever stop where I want to stay I slide right through the days I'm always throwing hack away