Trump’s North America Dominance Claim: Fact-Checking “Mexico and Canada Do What We Tell Them

Standing in the Oval Office on August 14, 2025, former President Donald Trump made a sweeping declaration about U.S. influence over its neighbors: “Mexico does what we tell them to do, and Canada does what we tell them to do.” The bold assertion, captured in a viral tweet by journalist Aaron Rupar, ignited immediate scrutiny and mockery across social media platforms. This latest remark fits Trump’s long-standing pattern of inflating U.S. leverage in Trump Mexico Canada relations, yet historical evidence and recent diplomatic clashes tell a markedly different story.

How Do Trump’s North America Claims Hold Up to Scrutiny?

Trump’s assertion of uncontested authority ignores documented tensions. During his first term, his administration imposed steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico in 2018, violating the spirit of the newly signed USMCA trade agreement. Both nations responded swiftly with retaliatory tariffs targeting U.S. agricultural and manufacturing exports—a move that cost American businesses $20 billion according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly condemned the tariffs as “punitive,” while Mexican officials imposed duties on U.S. pork, cheese, and whiskey.

The border wall funding debacle further undermines Trump’s narrative. Despite his 2016 campaign promise that Mexico would “100% pay for the wall,” not a single peso materialized. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed U.S. taxpayers funded the $15 billion project. When confronted, Trump reframed his pledge, claiming Mexico would pay “indirectly” through trade deals—a notion economists widely dismissed.

Why Do These Claims Persist Despite Evidence?

Political analysts point to Trump’s strongman persona as key to his base appeal. Dr. Laura Peterson, geopolitics professor at Georgetown University, explains: “The rhetoric projects an illusion of control that resonates with voters frustrated by complex global interdependence. Reality—like Canada’s retaliation or Mexico’s refusal to fund the wall—is brushed aside as ‘fake news.’”

Approval ratings, however, suggest diminishing returns. As of August 2025, Trump’s Gallup approval sits at 39%, down 6 points year-over-year amid inflation and diplomatic friction. Social media reactions to his “do what we tell them” comment were brutal: One user tweeted, “Delusional,” alongside a fact-check about the border wall; another shared a meme mocking Trump’s history of backtracking.

The truth is stark: Trump’s vision of unilateral North American dominance exists only in rallies and tweets—not in negotiating rooms or balance sheets. As tariffs bite and allies push back, these claims serve as face-saving gestures for a leader struggling to deliver concrete wins. For citizens navigating strained supply chains and rising costs, the gap between rhetoric and reality grows impossible to ignore.

Must Know
Q: What did Trump claim about Mexico and Canada?
A: On August 14, 2025, Trump asserted both nations “do what we tell them to do,” implying unchecked U.S. control—a claim contradicted by trade wars and failed border wall funding.

Q: How did Canada and Mexico respond to Trump’s tariffs?
A: Both imposed retaliatory tariffs: Canada targeted U.S. steel, bourbon, and agricultural products, while Mexico taxed pork, cheese, and apples. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce documented $20B in losses.

Q: Did Mexico fund Trump’s border wall?
A: No. Government Accountability Office reports confirm U.S. taxpayers covered the $15B cost despite Trump’s 2016 campaign promise that Mexico would pay.

Q: What is the USMCA’s role in this dynamic?
A: The 2020 trade pact requires consensus. Trump’s unilateral tariffs violated its terms, triggering retaliatory measures that disprove his “do what we tell them” narrative.

Q: How have Trump’s approval ratings been impacted?
A: Gallup polls show a 39% approval rate in August 2025—down 6 points year-over-year—amid economic strain and diplomatic failures.