Trump explained to donors that when he was told by the Prime Minister that the US didn’t have in fact have a trade deficit with Canada, he said:
“‘Wrong, Justin, you do.’ I didn’t even know. I had no idea. I just said, ‘You’re wrong.'”
CBS News – Trump tells donors he made up trade claim in Trudeau talk
The New York Times – Trump Says He Made Up Deficit Claim in Talk with Trudeau, Baffling Canadians
The Washington Post – In fundraising speech, Trump says he made up trade claim in meeting with Justin Trudeau
