Amid Trump trade concerns, China tariffs give Canada ‘firm ground,’ Freeland says – National
Chrystia Freeland says that a unified position towards China will give Canada a “solid foundation” in upcoming trade negotiations with the United States and the president-elect Donald Trump.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Freeland spoke to reporters Friday after the first meeting of the recently revived ministerial committee on Canada-U.S. relations, which she will once again chair.
She likened the committee to the task force created during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing ministers together regularly to address an “urgent issue.” In this case, it’s the relationship between Canada and the United States, which is expected to see border and trade relations in the spotlight under the new Trump administration.
Trump, who was declared winner of the 2024 US presidential election on Wednesdaypromised during the campaign that he would impose blanket tariffs on all goods entering the country as part of his economic strategy. He also said he would consider renegotiating the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), signed under his first administration.
The news that Trump is expected to return to the White House in 2025 has been released. sparked consternation among leaders of Canada’s steel and aluminum industries. The first Trump administration imposed tariffs of 25% on Canadian steel and 10% on aluminum in 2018, a tactic that lasted about a year and saw Canada impose tariffs in retaliation on American products.
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But Freeland said Friday that Canada “learned a lot” from its negotiations with Trump during his first term.
“What’s important about this whole experience is that Canada and the United States agreed, ultimately, that it didn’t make sense for both of our countries to impose these tariffs,” he said. she declared.
“To me, this is very powerful evidence of the fundamental economic rationale, the fundamental economic benefit that both countries derive from their economic relationship.”
Freeland also highlighted joint steps taken this year by Canada and the United States to impose tariffs on Chinese steel, aluminum and electric vehicles.
Presenting the geographic neighbors as a united front against China, Freeland argued that the United States will see Canada as a reliable trading partner, capable of competing with the American heavyweight on its economic and geopolitical priorities.
“Canada is very aligned with the United States in this regard. And this is one final area where I see a strong foundation for our work together,” she said.
David MacNaughton, Canadian Ambassador to the United States during Trump’s term, said to Mercedes Stephenson on The West Block last week that U.S. officials on both sides of the aisle were “happy” that Canadian trade policy had aligned with that of the United States toward China.
“I think we need to be seen to be in sync with them when it comes to the relationship with China, because if we don’t, we’re going to have real problems,” he said.
Brian Kingston, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, told Global News this week he sees Canada being able to secure exemptions from Trump’s tariff proposals by becoming a preferred source of critical minerals as the United States is moving away from China.
“If a Trump administration takes a more aggressive approach toward China, Canada is perfectly positioned to be that strong partner and ally and to help with that transition.” So I think there’s an opportunity,” he says.
“If we combine that with an effort to increase our mining capacity and become America’s supplier of choice, I think we could emerge in a much better position. »
Freeland, who met with Canadian steel producers in Hamilton, Ont., on Thursday, acknowledged that the country still has more to do on the trade front, including cracking down on circumvention that can lead exporters to send steel to across friendly borders to circumvent costly customs tariffs.
But when asked Friday if she was the right person to negotiate with Trump in a second and final term, Freeland was adamant that she was ready for renewed pressure.
She also highlighted her relationship with Robert Lighthizer, Trump’s former trade czar, who is also expected to play a key role in the president-elect’s second administration.
“In my experience, President Trump respects strength and he respects the people and the countries who are forcefully and clearly defending their country, their national interest,” Freeland said.
“It’s what I’ve always done and it’s what I will continue to do.”
– with files from Sean Boynton of Global News
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
