Obama mocks Canada tariff strategy at Ohio rally

Former President Barack Obama criticized the Trump administration's tariff policy on Saturday during a campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio. He characterized the trade conflict with Canada as a fight against a friendly neighbor that has long supported American life.

"The big trade war he's starting now is with that well-known evil empire: Canada," Obama told the audience. He noted that the country provided maple syrup and comedian Martin Short to the United States, adding that they are "the nicest people."

Obama argued that the current tariffs have produced the expected negative effects. He stated that American consumers are bearing the brunt of rising costs, a trend that has weighed on Republican prospects in border states ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

The former president has been actively campaigning for Democratic candidates across the country. His comments came one day after President Donald Trump announced plans to lift tariffs on some Canadian products.

Despite that signal, Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said on CBC's Power & Politics that Ottawa does not expect a final deal before the vote. He maintained that the two sides are still working through the details.

The trade war began last year when Trump launched a levy campaign citing fentanyl trafficking and trade imbalances. Negotiations between the two governments collapsed in August, leading to a cycle of retaliatory tariffs. Trump has since used Canada as a target in his own rallies, including a recent stop in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

At that event on October 17, Trump claimed the U.S. had lost billions of dollars in the past. He described former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a loser and said Prime Minister Mark Carney is "learning and suffering." The crowd cheered as Trump predicted an amazing deal would eventually be reached.