California Governor Gavin Newsom believes that internal pressure from the Republican Party will compel President Donald Trump to return to negotiations with Canada.
In an interview with CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Newsom remarked, “He’s getting crushed. He’s getting hammered by his own party right now.”
These statements come just months ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, which will serve as a gauge for Trump’s administration. The Republicans currently dominate both the Senate and the House of Representatives but face the possibility of losing control of both chambers in November.
Trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. fell apart late last week after Prime Minister Mark Carney paused negotiations. Trump’s new tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods took effect shortly after.
However, Newsom expressed his belief that Trump cannot afford to prolong the stalemate.
“I absolutely believe within a matter of days, I can’t imagine more than two, three weeks, he’ll be back at the table,” the governor stated.
Newsom clarified California’s stance: “We do not in any way, shape or form condone the behaviour of this president as it relates to how he’s treated you.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom responds to the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks, telling CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton that Prime Minister Mark Carney is ‘playing this well’ because Donald Trump doesn’t respect weakness.
The outspoken critic of Trump conveyed to Barton his “disgust” over what he termed the “invasive species” in the White House, stating, “I am. And I’m embarrassed as an American.”
California is facing significant repercussions from the trade war, including a year-long absence of its wines from most provinces’ shelves.
Canada used to be the largest market for California wine, but data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals a staggering decline of $343 million in wine exports from the U.S. to Canada between 2024 and 2025.
When Barton inquired if California winemakers harbor resentment towards Canada, Newsom replied, “Yeah, I think there is.”
He characterized their plight as “painful” and attributed the blame to Trump.
“It’s not California,” he insisted. “I’m the most un-Trump state in America.”
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Despite this, Newsom acknowledges that the return of wine to shelves is unlikely in the near future after a deal to lift the alcohol ban was abandoned.
He commended Carney’s strong stance against Trump: “His strength, clarity, conviction: Trump respects strength, he does not respect weakness.”
“T. Rex Trump,” Newsom commented, “devours you” if you’re not strong.
Notably, Newsom is not running for re-election as governor of California. However, he is widely seen as a potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
When Barton asked whether his opposition to Trump’s tariffs is a strategic move for a future campaign, he asserted that “it has nothing to do with why I’m doing this.”
Nevertheless, Newsom did not dismiss the idea of a run.
“That’s fate … but I’m not naive about where fate goes,” he remarked.
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