Former GOP lawmaker: 'I can't understand the Canadian tariffs'

Former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) says he doesn't understand President Trump's seemingly adversarial attitude toward Canada, including his launching a tariff fight and taunting the U.S.'s ally to the north about becoming the "51st state."

"I think the unintended consequences of what he's doing right now are going to hurt his overall agenda," Buck, who was known for breaking with his party on various issues before resigning from Congress last year, said Wednesday night on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront."

"You've got elections in Canada in the near future, and those elections are directly affected by his tariffs and his surge in in populism and in patriotism in Canada," Buck added.

Still, the former GOP lawmaker said he appreciates the president's hard stance on China, which is also on the receiving end of Trump's tariff tear.

"I get what he's trying to do with China ... China is an adversary in the Pacific Rim," Buck said. "But you get there by making sure that your allies are on board with you, not by making them mad over, what? I don't — I can't understand the Canadian tariffs."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pushed back on the U.S. with retaliatory tariffs and additional restrictions on American products in Canada.

“We should be working together to ensure even greater prosperity for North Americans in a very uncertain and challenging world," Trudeau said Tuesday.

Trump's tariff plan has been a roller coaster with ongoing negotiations, delays and carveouts.

Buck told CNN he isn't surprised by Trump's quick policy shifts. The Colorado Republican, who publicly tussled with the GOP while in office, has previously cited congressional dysfunction among his reasons for leaving office early last year after nine years in the House.

“I think it's part of President Trump's theater or certainly his style, to make a lot of bold claims. And then some of them he will act on, and some of them he will back off of,” Buck said Wednesday.

He pointed to the ongoing war in Ukraine and Trump's threats to stop aid the country needs to fend off attacks from Russia.

“We can't go this alone," Buck said of Trump's treatment of allies. "The 'America First' idea of isolationism doesn't work when you're talking about international trade. We have to make sure that our actions in the Ukraine war situation, in the tariff situation with our neighbors, we have to bring countries together to — to really deal with a very concerning adversary in China.”

Topics

GOP lawmaker holding town hall despite advice to avoid them: 'I trust my constituents'

Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) said Wednesday he’s holding a town hall despite House Republicans being recently pushed to avoid in-person town halls and do phone or livestreamed ones instead. “I'm ...
The Hill - 15h
Understanding Trump's tariffs, in five charts

Learn more about how Trump's proposed tariffs against Mexico, China and Canada could impact trade, shipping, imports, prices and more.
NBC News - 2d
Trump tariff impact on Canadian industries

President Trump's tariffs are already putting pressure on multiple Canadian industries. CBS News national correspondent Lana Zak spoke about the issue with the leader of the Windsor-Essex Chamber ...
CBS News - 23h
I can't accept Nunez's work-rate - Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he "can't accept" striker Darwin Nunez's work-rate in his past two games.
BBC News - Feb. 26
Trudeau: Canadian lawmaker's call to bar Trump from G7 meeting 'not responsible'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday rejected a call from Parliament member Jagmeet Singh to bar President Trump from attending the Group of Seven (G7) summit that is set to take ...
The Hill - 6d
‘The relationship is broken’: Canadians respond to Trump’s tariffs

Many plan to boycott US goods and say they will not cross the border while Trump is in office. “Since Donald Trump began his tariff threats against Canada and his ‘jokes’ about making Canada the ...
The Guardian - 1d
Canadian companies struggling amid U.S. tariffs

Canadian companies are still coming to grips with this week's implementation of President Trump's tariffs. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports.
CBS News - 3h
Canadians discuss impact of President Trump's new tariffs

While President Trump has paused tariffs for one month on some automakers, other businesses will start to feel the impact. Canadian company Conquest Steel, located outside Toronto, said they ...
CBS News - 3h
GOP lawmakers confronted by constituents angry about Trump-Musk cuts

Republican lawmakers have faced backlash at town halls and other events in their districts in recent days.
CBS News - Feb. 21