California Governor Gavin Newsom predicts that internal pressure within the Republican Party will compel President Donald Trump to resume negotiations with Canada. Newsom expressed this view in an interview with CBC News correspondent Rosemary Barton. The timing of these remarks is significant as they coincide with the approaching U.S. midterm elections, which will serve as a test for Trump’s presidency, given that Republicans currently hold a majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives but face potential losses in November.
Recent trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. faltered, leading to Prime Minister Mark Carney suspending negotiations, shortly before Trump imposed new tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods. Despite the deadlock, Newsom remains optimistic that Trump cannot afford a prolonged pause in negotiations, believing the President will return to the negotiation table within a matter of days or possibly a few weeks.
Newsom explicitly stated California’s disapproval of Trump’s actions towards Canada, emphasizing that the state does not support the President’s behavior. The ongoing trade dispute has had a severe impact on California, particularly its wine industry, with the province losing its largest foreign market as Canadian wine exports from the U.S. plummeted by $343 million between 2024 and 2025.
In response to Barton’s inquiry regarding potential resentment from California wine producers towards Canada, Newsom acknowledged a sense of animosity, describing the situation as painful and attributing blame to Trump. He emphasized that California does not align with Trump’s policies, asserting the state’s opposition to the President’s actions.
Despite the challenges faced by California’s wine industry, Newsom commended Carney’s handling of the situation, highlighting the importance of strength and conviction in dealing with Trump. Newsom, who is not seeking re-election as governor, is rumored to be a Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election. When asked about his stance on Trump’s tariffs and whether it is linked to his potential presidential bid, Newsom clarified that his actions are not motivated by political ambitions but did not rule out the possibility of running in the future.