(Ottawa) Ontario and Saskatchewan did not agree on Canada’s response to the climbing of the US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, while the Prime Ministers were preparing to meet the latter to discuss trade.
Prime Minister Mark Carney was holding private virtual meetings with his office and the Prime Ministers on Wednesday afternoon, less than a week after Donald Trump intensified his business attacks against Canada by imposing basic customs duties of 35 %.
These only apply to products that are not covered by the Canada-US-Mexico (ACEUM) agreement.
These new import taxes took into force last Friday, since the two countries failed to conclude a new trade agreement before the deadline of 1is August fixed by Mr. Trump.
Before meeting Mr. Carney, the Prime Minister of Ontario, Doug Ford, said he was frustrated by the repercussions of American customs duties raised on the economy of his province. He again called for imposing reprisal measures.
Photo Darryl Dyck, Canadian Press Archives
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney
“You can’t have customs duties on one side and not on the other. I maintain what I say: dollar for dollar, customs law for customs law, “Ford told journalists at a press conference on Wednesday in Thornhill, Ontario.
“They understand by force, not by weakness, and we should never, never, to give up and be weak. »»
Conversely, Saskatchewan Prime Minister Scott Moe said on Wednesday that Canada should reduce its reprisal measures.
“It may be time for Canada not to impose additional counter-trials at the moment, but rather to consider removing some of the counter-tales that harm Canadian and Saskatchewanese companies today,” said MOE during a radio interview, adding that Canada is largely “protected” by ACEUM.
“What we have done was to advance a large sum-10 years, in fact-of purchase of the crown to support the steel industries here in Saskatchewan,” he added.
Mr. Moe congratulated Mr. Carney for the efforts made by his government in order to strengthen trade links with other countries, including Mexico, in particular while Canada remains subject to Chinese customs duties on oil and the Canola notch.
Asked about the reasons why his government has finally given American alcoholic drinks on tablets and returned to his usual supply processes, MOE replied that the government already granted priority to Saskatchewanese companies.
Photo Michael Bell, Canadian Press Archives
The Prime Minister of La Saskatchewan, Scott Moe
“We must get closer to this objective more solidly with our main trading partner, the United States of America, and someone will have to take the first measures,” he said, stressing that Alberta had also changed its policies.
The office of the Prime Minister of Alberta, Danielle Smith, said that she would make no statement before the meeting.
Mr. Ford would like more efforts to be made to stimulate the economy. He called Ottawa to reduce taxes and said the Banque du Canada should lower its interest rate.
“We must ask the Governor of the Bank of Canada to lower these damn interest rates of 2.75,” he said. Low them. Strengthen confidence. »»
“Let’s work together to eliminate TVH for house buyers, and not only for those who buy their first house. Stimulate the market and we will follow the example of the federal government if it does. »»
“A good conversation”
The Ontario Prime Minister said Wednesday that he had a “good conversation” with the American secretary of trade, Howard Lunick on Tuesday, who turned out to be “positive”, and he considers that the “Prime Minister does everything in his power to conclude a fair trade agreement with the United States”.
On Tuesday, at a press conference in British Columbia, Carney revealed that he has not spoken to Mr. Trump in recent days. However, he plans to discuss with him when it is appropriate.
The Prime Minister added that around 85 % of trade with the United States remains free from customs duties, since it is covered by ACEUM.
Sectoral customs duties, including those of 50 % on steel, aluminum and copper, remain in force.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers and the conversation between Mr. Carney and the Prime Ministers of the provinces and territories will be virtual.
The Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, confirmed that he was taking part in the virtual meeting scheduled for the early afternoon.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, and the Minister of Finance, François-Philippe Champagne, were in Mexico City on Wednesday, as part of a two-day mission aimed at meeting Mexican representatives and companies concerning trade.
With information from Lisa Johnson in Edmonton, Alberta, and Allison Jones in Thornhill, Ontario, the Canadian press
