California Governor Gavin Newsom predicts that internal pressure from the Republican Party will compel U.S. President Donald Trump to return to the bargaining table with Canada. In an interview with CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Newsom highlighted the mounting criticism Trump is facing within his own party.
With the upcoming U.S. midterm elections posing a significant challenge to Trump’s presidency, Newsom emphasized the precarious position of the Republicans, who currently control both the Senate and House of Representatives but face the risk of losing their majority in November.
Following the breakdown of trade discussions between Canada and the U.S., Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended negotiations, prompting Trump to impose new tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods shortly thereafter.
Newsom expressed confidence that Trump cannot afford to prolong the hiatus, stating his belief that the President will return to negotiations within a matter of days, or at most, a few weeks. The Governor firmly denounced Trump’s actions towards Canada and emphasized California’s disapproval of the President’s behavior.
California, heavily impacted by the trade dispute, has seen its wine exports suffer, with the state’s wines absent from the shelves of most Canadian provinces for over a year. Canada, previously the largest foreign market for California wine, experienced a significant decline in U.S. wine exports to the country between 2024 and 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
When asked about potential animosity from California wine producers towards Canada, Newsom acknowledged a sense of resentment, attributing the situation to Trump’s policies. The Governor expressed sympathy for the affected wine industry, labeling their predicament as “painful” and placing blame squarely on Trump.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by the wine industry, Newsom praised Carney’s handling of the trade feud with Trump, citing strength, clarity, and conviction as essential qualities in dealing with the President. Referring to Trump as “T. Rex,” Newsom emphasized the necessity of strength in interactions with the President.
Despite his vocal opposition to Trump’s tariffs, Newsom clarified that his stance was not driven by political posturing for a potential presidential bid in 2028, although he did not rule out the possibility of running in the future. Newsom’s unwavering position against Trump’s actions underscores his commitment to advocating for California’s interests on the national stage.
