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California Gov. Gavin Newsom says pressure from within the Republican Party will bring U.S. President Donald Trump back to the negotiating table with Canada.
“He’s getting crushed. He’s getting hammered by his own party right now,” Newsom told CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton in an interview.
The comments come just a few months before the U.S. midterm elections that will test Trump’s presidency. Republicans currently hold majority control of both the Senate and House of Representatives but are at risk of losing both in November.
Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. broke down late last week, with Prime Minister Mark Carney halting negotiations. Trump’s new tariffs on some $28 billion worth of Canadian goods came into effect hours later.
But Newsom said he believes Trump can’t afford to stretch out the hiatus.
“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 said.
Newsom made California’s position clear: “We do not in any way, shape or form condone the behaviour of this president as it relates to how he’s treated you.”
WATCH | CBC’s Rosemary Barton speaks with Gavin Newsom:
California governor says Carney is ‘playing this well’ in Trump trade fight
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 vocal Trump critic told Barton he’s “disgusted by the invasive species in the White House, Donald Trump. I am. And I’m embarrassed as an American.”
California is being hit hard by the trade war, including wines produced in the state being off of most provinces’ shelves for over a year.
Canada was the largest foreign market for California wine. But according to the U.S. Census Bureau, wine exports from the U.S. to Canada dropped by $343 million US between 2024 and 2025.
When asked by Barton if there’s animosity for Canada from California wine makers, Newsom responded, “Yeah, I think there is.”
He described their situation as “painful” and said the blame should be put on Trump.
“It’s not California,” he said. “I’m the most un-Trump state in America.”
Despite this, Newsom says he understands why wine won’t return to shelves any time soon, after a deal that would have ended the booze ban was scrapped.
He praised Carney’s approach to Trump: “His strength, clarity, conviction: Trump respects strength, he does not respect weakness.”
“T. Rex Trump,” Newsom said, “devours you” if you’re not strong.
Newsom is not seeking re-election as California’s governor. He is widely believed to be a Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential bid.
When asked by Barton if his push against Trump’s tariffs is posturing for a potential run, he said that “it has nothing to do with why I’m doing this.”
But Newsom did not rule out running.
“That’s fate … but I’m not naive about where fate goes,” he said.
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