NPR

Trump Admits To Making Up Trade Deficit In Talks With Canadian Prime Minister

While speaking to Republican donors, Trump said he told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the U.S. has a trade deficit with Canada, while admitting he really "had no idea."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with President Trump at the White House in October. Trump was recorded telling attendees at a private GOP fundraiser that he had falsely stated the U.S. has a trade deficit with Canada in a meeting with Trudeau.

Updated at 12:26 p.m.

In audio of a closed-door fundraiser obtained by the Washington Post and NBC News, President Trump boasts to donors that he "had no idea" whether he was correct when he insisted to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the U.S. has a trade deficit with Canada.

It doesn't. In fact, in 2016, the U.S. had a $12.5 billion goods and services trade surplus with Canada.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min readCrime & Violence
Nigeria Has Detained A Journalist Who Reported On Corruption In A Widening Crackdown
Investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu has been arrested by police and held without charge for over a week, drawing criticism from advocacy groups over a worsening climate for independent journalism.
NPR3 min read
Tornadoes Tear Through The Southeastern U.S. As Storms Leave 3 Dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could march through parts of the South early Thursday, after deadly storms a day earlier spawned damaging tornadoes and massive hail.
NPR2 min read
2 Skiers Killed After Being Caught In Utah Avalanche, Sheriff Says
Two skiers were killed and one was rescued after they were buried in an avalanche in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City that occurred after several days of spring snowstorms, authorities said.

Related Books & Audiobooks