Trump rallies faithful in Dallas as Canada trade war fades

DALLAS - President Donald Trump told thousands of supporters at an unusual Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday that Canada very much wants to make a trade deal, but the party faithful gathered at the American Airlines Center appeared largely unbothered by the escalating trade war between the two countries. The event, billed as TrumpaPalooza, was designed as both a fundraiser and a momentum-builder for Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections, at a time when Trump faces low approval ratings. It was the first time the party has held a midterm convention, and it was set up as a celebration of Trump from start to finish. Trump headlined the gathering a day after his administration escalated trade tensions with Canada. He mused about his move to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America and claimed Canada is desperate for a deal, though he was more subdued than usual in his comments about the northern neighbour, which he has threatened to annex for nearly two years.