California Governor Gavin Newsom predicts that internal pressure within the Republican Party will compel U.S. President Donald Trump to return to the negotiating table with Canada. Newsom expressed this view during an interview with CBC News’ chief political correspondent, Rosemary Barton.
The remarks come ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, which will serve as a critical test for Trump’s presidency. Currently, Republicans hold a majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives, but they face the risk of losing control in the November elections.
Trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. reached an impasse recently, leading to Prime Minister Mark Carney suspending negotiations. Shortly after, Trump imposed new tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods.
Newsom is of the opinion that Trump cannot afford to prolong the break in negotiations. He expressed confidence that Trump will come back to the negotiating table within a matter of days or a few weeks at most.
Highlighting California’s stance, Newsom emphasized that the state does not support the president’s actions towards Canada. He criticized Trump, labeling him as an “invasive species” in the White House and expressed his embarrassment as an American.
The ongoing trade war has significantly impacted California, particularly its wine industry, with wines from the state being absent from most provinces’ shelves for over a year. Canada was the largest foreign market for California wine, but exports to Canada decreased by $343 million US between 2024 and 2025.
When asked about the sentiments of California wine makers towards Canada, Newsom acknowledged a sense of animosity and described their situation as “painful,” attributing the blame to Trump. He asserted that California stands in stark contrast to Trump’s policies, stating, “I’m the most un-Trump state in America.”
While acknowledging the challenges faced by the wine industry, Newsom commended Carney’s approach in dealing with Trump, emphasizing the importance of strength and clarity in negotiations with the president.
Newsom, who is not seeking re-election as California’s governor, is speculated to be a potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election. When questioned about his motives amid the tariff disputes, he denied any posturing for a future political bid but did not rule out the possibility of running for office in the future.