Carney Reveals Trump Admin Wanted to Prevent Canada from Negotiating Its Own Trade Deals

 

I watched Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's press conference this morning. During the press conference, Carney discussed the breakdown of trade negotiations with the Trump Administration.

What I found most revealing during the Q&A were the specific issues which led to Carney suspending talks. Carney cited three reasons - shifting auto tariffs, objections to protection concerning Canadian culture with regard to the French language and the ability of Canada to negotiate other trade deals.

Needless to say, this last reason really jumps out. 

The United States has no business telling Canada with whom it can enter and negotiate trade deals. For the Trump Administration to make such a demand sends a clear message that they view Canada not as a partner but as one of its territories. In other words, the 51st state. 

Underscoring of all this is the bad faith of the Trump Administration. As Carney noted, “We’ve recognized from the start that America has changed. We recognize that sometimes, its signature is written in pencil.”

With that, barring a dramatic shift from the Trump Administration, Canada plans to implement its dollar-for-dollar tariffs against the United States on September 8th, the day after Labor Day.