NAFTA: At News Conference
Donald Trump Says He Rejected Meeting With Trudeau
Doesn’t Like Canada’s Trade Representative,
Threatens 25% Auto Tariffs
#LSN_Opinion #LSN_Econ Relations between Trudeau government & Trump administration hit new low.
WASHINGTON, DC - September 26, 2018 (LSN) During a free-wheeling press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he rejected a meeting with Justin Trudeau at the UN in New York.
Trump also said he didn’t like the Canadian trade representative (Chrystia Freeland).
Additionally, Trump once again brought up the possibility of 25% tariffs against the Canadian auto sector if a NAFTA deal isn’t reached, in response to the tariff-like barriers imposed on imports of U.S. dairy products through Canada’s supply management system.
Trump’s comments came as he praised Mexico’s leaders, and is further evidence of the total breakdown in relations between the Trudeau government and the Trump administration.
If the tariffs were imposed, the Canadian economy – and the Ontario economy in particular – would be devastated.
The entire Canadian political class has said supply management should not be put on the table – even if those devastating auto tariffs result from the collapse of NAFTA.
The only exception to that viewpoint is People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier, who says supply management should be put on the negotiation table, and the auto sector protected from tariffs by reaching a NAFTA deal with the U.S. and Mexico.
Spencer Fernando