U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick recently described Canada as “a socialist regime” that relies on the U.S., expressing skepticism about a potential trade deal with the country ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meeting with President Trump. Lutnick, a billionaire businessman and philanthropist, oversees the Department of Commerce, managing trade policy and advocating for tariffs to protect American industries. He is known for his strong support of Trump’s aggressive tariff agenda, which he believes is essential for reviving U.S. manufacturing and correcting perceived global trade imbalances.