Obama Calls Canada an Evil Empire in Joke About Trade War

Barack Obama ridiculed the federal government's trade strategy on Saturday while campaigning in Cleveland. He described Canada as a well-known evil empire that is currently facing a major trade war with the United States.

The former president suggested the conflict is unusual given the long history between the two nations. He noted that Canadians are friendly neighbors to the north who contributed maple syrup and Martin Short to American culture. Obama asked why Donald Trump would pick a fight with such people.

The joke landed during a rally for Democratic candidates ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. Obama argued that the current tariffs are having the expected negative effect on the economy. He stated that American consumers are bearing the brunt of rising costs on imported goods.

These higher expenses have weighed on Republican prospects in border states. On Friday, President Trump announced his plan to lift tariffs on some Canadian products. However, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said on CBC's Power & Politics that Ottawa does not expect a deal before the Nov. 3 vote.

The two countries have exchanged retaliatory tariffs since the levy campaign began last year. The measures were originally intended to combat alleged fentanyl trafficking and trade imbalances. Trade talks between the two sides broke down in August.

Trump has used Canada as a target in his own recent speeches. At a stop in Highland Heights, Ky., on Oct. 17, he predicted an amazing deal would be reached. He claimed the United States has lost billions of dollars over the years and that Canadian leaders felt emboldened.

During that same event, Trump criticized former prime minister Justin Trudeau and his successor, Mark Carney. He called Trudeau a loser while noting that Carney is a nice guy who is not nice when it comes to trade. Trump concluded that Canada is learning and suffering.