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The Situation Room

Canada to Retaliate Against New Tariffs; Key Elections in Wisconsin and Florida. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired March 31, 2025 - 10:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[10:30:00]

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: We are just two days away from what President Trump is calling Liberation Day. What he's set to impose very sweeping new tariffs on U.S. trading partners and neighboring Canada already reeling from 25 percent tariffs on its steel, aluminum, and auto industries is vowing to retaliate.

Joining us now is Andrew Furey, the premier of the Canadian Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Premier, thank you so much for joining us. First of all, how would you like to see Canada respond to yet another round of Trump tariffs?

[10:35:00]

ANDREW FUREY, PREMIER, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR: Well, I think it's important, Wolf, for people and your viewers to understand that Canadians never asked for any of this. We're left often confused, frustrated at times, angered and upset by this round of tariffs. And Canadians, by and large understand that tariffs are not going to win on the northern border, they're not going to win south of the border. It's going to be a loss-loss situation.

So, we're very frustrated, very concerned from a macroeconomic perspective, but also from a microeconomic perspective as well. We see this as being and will be incredibly punitive to consumers on both sides of the border. Again, setting up a lose-lose situation.

So, Canadians are frustrated. They're concerned, but they will be responsive. And I do believe the conversations I've had with the prime minister and the United Team Canada front has been strong and firm in recognizing that we do have a position of strength.

The economies are integrated for a reason, and it's not just geographic adjacency, it's the shared resources. Canada is plentiful and bountiful in natural resources that can provide the United States manufacturing jobs. It can grow their economy. It can grow our economy jointly together. That's why it's worked so well for so long. And so -- but make no mistake, we will be proportional and we'll be responsible and we'll be Canadian in our response.

BLITZER: Yes. Canada's new prime minister, as you know, Premier, we're talking about Mark Carney, has blasted the Trump tariffs in very blunt words, saying the close ties between the two countries, in his words, are over. Listen and watch this. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK CARNEY, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: The old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation is over.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Do you see the relationship between the U.S. and Canada permanently altered? I asked the question because, for me, it's really hard to believe how U.S.-Canadian relations have deteriorated. These were the two closest of allies and now all of a sudden, we hear words like this, strong words like this from the new prime minister.

FUREY: So, first of all, let me say that Canadians are unpackaging this tariff war in two ways. First of all, there's the economic fiscal issues with respect to tariffs, and albeit, I believe that to be illogical. But then, there is the blunt language from the president of the United States with respect to our sovereignty, our independence. Canada wants to work with the United States, but we do not want our independence, our sovereignty, our values, our Canadian way of life attacked in any way, shape, or form. And we feel threatened by an imperialistic expansive agenda by the president of the United States.

That said, Wolf, we recognize that this is not every American. In fact, it's likely only a handful of Americans who hold this view. And Canadians are mature enough. They're understanding enough to realize that while we have -- to steal a hockey analogy, we have to have our elbows up right now in the corners that hopefully this game and this period will pass and we can rebuild a constructive relationship.

I was very encouraged for the first time since the president was elected to hear him refer to our prime minister, regardless of political stripe, our prime minister, our sovereign head of our country as prime minister once again. Since December, he's been referring to that position and that person as governor, and that is insulting and offensive to Canadian.

BLITZER: Governor, because he pretends that Canada is going to be the 51st state of the United States. He used to call Prime Minister Trudeau governor, governor, governor, not premier -- or prime minister. It's really very, very insulting to Canada indeed. How are Canadians reacting on a personal level to these kinds of comments?

FUREY: So, it's incredibly hurtful. I can speak personally, you know, as a father and who married an American. For me, this is actually very personal. I did some of my surgical training in Baltimore, Maryland. My daughter was born in Baltimore. She's a natural citizen. She could be president of the United States someday.

You know, obviously I'm married an American. I have -- all my children are dual citizens. So, it's confusing and hurtful for me as an individual. But Canadians at large are incredibly offended. There is a moment of national unity and pride in the country of Canada that I have not seen in my entire life. And I do think that we are worried about the rhetoric of -- from the president of the United States. But make no mistake, the sovereignty of our independent, proud nation will never be jeopardized.

[10:40:00]

What's confusing, Wolf, is the relationship has been so strong. I mean, here in Newfoundland and Labrador, we welcomed 10,000 stranded passengers during 9/11. We fought side by side in two World Wars in Korea and Afghanistan, and would continue to kind grow that relationship because it's built on shared values of democracy, of freedom, of independence, and of justice. And to see that being eroded is very troublesome to Canadians.

BLITZER: Yes. I've always considered Canada to be America's number one closest NATO ally. And to see this relationship deteriorate as it has over these past few months is really depressing. And as a young boy growing up in Buffalo, in Western New York on the border with Canada. I used to go to a lot of Buffalo-Sabers hockey games. And before all of the games, not only did they play the U.S. National Anthem, they played, "Oh, Canada," because almost all of the hockey players were Canadians. And I used to wonder why we -- why are they playing "Oh, Canada" in the United States?

And that's what my dad and my friends always explain to me that Canada is a separate country, but so many of the players are Canadians and we have to honor them. It was just something I grew up with in Buffalo.

FUREY: Yes, it's an incredible -- it's the most important relationship in the world. It's an example how neighbors can work together. And that doesn't exist throughout the geopolitical context. It has been, to date, a beacon of hope, a beacon of democracy, a -- the strength of our partnership in protecting not just North America, but the world. And I have to believe, Wolf, that we will get through this.

And while Canadians are angered and offended, particularly by the attack on our sovereignty, confused and frustrated by the economic issues, but more concerned and -- by the attack on our independence, I have to believe that once this rhetoric settles and once rational, logical, mature heads prevail that a strong historic friendship between the United States and Canada can not only be resolved, but be strengthened.

BLITZER: Well, let's hope that happens. It's so, so important to both countries. Premier Furey, thank you so much for joining us and good luck.

FUREY: Thanks very much, Wolf.

BLITZER: And we'll be right back with more news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:45:00]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we have our eyes on elections in two key states that could reveal what Americans think of President Trump's job performance so far over the past two months. In Florida, Republicans are defending two open seats in the House of Representatives. And in Wisconsin, a Supreme Court race will determine the court's ideological balance. It all happens tomorrow.

BLITZER: I want to bring in CNN Political Commentators Bakari Sellers, and S.E. Cupp. Bakari, to you first. Why are these elections that are about to take place tomorrow so important?

BAKARI SELLERS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND ATTORNEY, STROM LAW: Well, I do believe that a lot of people are going to blow these a little bit out of proportion, but they are important because you can check the temperature of voters in the country. You can see whether or not the bull in the China shop approach that Donald Trump is taking has been effective. And even more importantly, there are people who voted for Donald Trump because they wanted him to seal the border, the southern border and they wanted a better economy. They wanted the price of eggs to go down. The question is, did they want Elon Musk truly being president of the United States and did they want a trade war with Canada? Those will be the types of questions that will be answered tomorrow night.

BLITZER: Pamela.

BROWN: Well, in a phone call, S.E., with NBC Sunday, president Trump once again broached the subject of a third term saying that he isn't joking. Is this something that Republicans are likely to get behind despite the U.S. Constitution ruling that out? And we should note, we just had a Republican on who said he likes the Constitution as is.

S.E. CUPP, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes, I saw that. That was a great interview with Ryan Zinke, and I was relieved to hear at least one member of Congress talk like that. But Trump has this sort of magnet effect where he drags -- he ends up dragging Republicans across lines you wouldn't think they would normally cross, these tariffs being one of them, just one, right?

Tariffs, you know, and anti-protectionism was sort of a bedrock of conservative philosophy. And now, Republicans are on board. So, I won't be surprised if we start hearing Republicans floating this, supporting it. And we should believe Trump that he's not joking.

I remember back in his first term he would, quote/unquote, "joke" that he was going to stick around. He wasn't going to leave even if he was not re-elected. When I talked about that being serious, people laughed and said, that's Trump derangement syndrome. We know that he tried to stick around in his first term. We know all the lengths he went to, to try and remain in power.

So, I think we should believe him when he talks about trying to stick around for a third term. I think that's something he will definitely pursue, and I think he'll have a lot of Republican support doing it.

BLITZER: Yes. I suspect you're right, S.E. You know, Bakari, Trump is also openly flouting the Constitution with his talk of a potential third term. What do you think is behind all of this?

SELLERS: Oh, a heavy dose of psychopathy, just someone who has a false sense of self and an ego larger than probably Washington, D.C. itself. That's what we're looking at. I mean, there is no reason he is doing it, attaching it to something that is better for the country.

I mean, let's reopen the Constitution. Let's talk about having a constitutional amendment where every child has access to quality education and another one that ensures everyone has a right to quality healthcare. I mean, if we're going to open the Constitution, which a lot of people believe is a slippery slope, instead of -- including myself, instead of it being a self-serving idea for one individual, let's see if we can actually do something that betters the lives of all Americans.

[10:50:00]

BROWN: All right. Bakari Sellers, S.E. Cupp, thank you so much. We'll be right back.

CUPP: Sure.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: All right. March Madness may not be so crazy after all. The teams making it into the final four are all number one seeds.

BROWN: Yes. No big Cinderella stories this year. Let's go live now to CNN Sports Anchor Coy Wire. Just how rare is this, Coy?

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Only one other time, Pamela and Wolf, in final four history have all four teams been number one seeds, back in 2008. In a wild bit of history, repeating self, it was the exact same dates as this year's final four, April 5th and 7th, in the exact same place, San Antonio.

[10:55:00]

Last night, two seed Michigan State was facing top overall seed Auburn. And Johni Broome can't spell broom without the boom. His parents are loving it. But then, there was a scary moment in the second half of the star, Broome falls awkwardly, his left leg, his right arm. Mom then was in tears. And Broome left the game, but his tigers held it down. About six minutes later, he comes back into the arena like Maximus, crowd erupting, and with his very first shot, big man, big three. 25 points, 14 rebounds for Broome. Auburn wins 70-64. They're on to just their second final four in school history. They'll face Florida next. Houston beat Tennessee. So, it's Auburn, Florida, Duke, Houston remaining.

And today, we have two women's games to make trips to the final four. You have Texas, TCU, and you have UConn, USC already in the final four waiting for them are UCLA and Dawn Staley's South Carolina. Lookout.

BROWN: All right.

BLITZER: We'll be watching all those games. We love that. The basketball of this March Madness. Coy, thank you very, very much. BROWN: Thanks so much, Coy. And coming up, a look at cases the Supreme Court is hearing that could reshape religion and American public life.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:00:00]