Donald Trump claimes that both Mexico and Canada do what he wants them to do and will continue doing his bidding.
Trump’s self-description as a tough leader has often put him in the geopolitical crosshairs. Sometimes it’s just pushing world leaders away and making him look like a rude bully, but sometimes it’s worrying statements — like suggesting Canada should give up its sovereignty and become the U.S.’s new state. In the Oval Office, Trump recently told the press, “Mexico does what we tell them to do, and Canada does what we tell them to do.”
Trump: "Mexico does what we tell them to do, and Canada does what we tell them to do." pic.twitter.com/ZSKcmpTMF8
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 14, 2025
It’s currently a period of high tension between the three neighboring countries after Trump took office for his second term and dismissed trade deals and border agreements long considered status quo. Trump maintains that, owing to the independence of the U.S. economy, he “holds all the cards” in trade and border security. But as is increasingly the case, Trump may be stating his opinions as objective facts.
When the video of Trump making the outrageous claims went viral on X, comments were as colorful as expected. One user called the president delusional, and another posted a screenshot showing Trump being fact-checked about funding the southern border wall.
He's delusional. pic.twitter.com/jqXlJOF1yw
— The Great Gig in the Sky (@thegreatgig8) August 14, 2025
"Mexico does what we tell them to do" pic.twitter.com/scYj87hkSO
— Akash Maniam (@ManiamAkash) August 14, 2025
When you examine how Trump’s threats have panned out, the conclusion is far from “they do whatever I say.” For instance, when Trump announced tariffs on goods produced in Canada and Mexico — contravening the established United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement — Mexico responded with its own retaliatory tariffs, and Canada did the same. The new agreement came as a result of mutual concessions, not a unilateral decision made by Trump.
There’s also the case of the Mexico wall that Trump campaigned on in his first term, claiming he would ensure Mexico paid 100% of it. Trump later revised his statement, claiming the goal was always to have Mexico just pay a “piece of it.” Trump has been very creative in picturing the relationships he has been forming with the U.S.’s neighbors.
All this fits into Trump’s foreign policy approach. He makes inflammatory statements that turn allies into rivals so he can appear to have a stronger negotiating position than he actually does — it’s what he promised his MAGA base. A world where the U.S. has supposedly fallen behind economically, where only Trump can restore its rightful place on the world stage. He claims he can achieve this by being tough in negotiations — but the deals he makes never look as impressive under scrutiny.
Trump has been claiming he is the highest-achieving president in modern history, but his approval ratings continue to dip with every passing day. It’s possible this is simply the president trying to make sure his base feels like they’re winning — because if people can pay their bills and afford groceries, they might forget his multiple controversies. But even that, Trump is struggling with.
The Trump administration has made no secret of using economic pressure to influence the actions of Mexico and Canada. But so far, things haven’t been going as well as they thought they would — and Trump is just trying to save face with the lamest lies.
