While the trade war is intensifying with the United States of Donald Trump, the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, wanted to be reassuring Tuesday morning before his provincial and territorial counterparts
“We are looking for the best agreement for Canada. We will only accept the best agreement for Canada, “said Mark Carney before the Prime Ministers gathered in Ontario for the Federation Council.
In a letter addressed to the Canadian Prime Minister on July 10, Trump threatened to impose customs duties of 35 % on Canadian products on 1is August, thus fixing a new deadline for commercial negotiations, which should have been completed today.
Mr. Carney wanted to meet his counterparts to take stock of negotiations with the United States when this deadline is fast approaching. He said his Minister responsible for Commerce Canada-United States, Dominic Leblanc, was going to accelerate discussions with Washington in the coming days.
The issue of predictability
Last week, Mark Carney hinted that a trade agreement with the United States would likely include certain customs duties.
Prime Ministers’ discussions will also focus on how to strengthen the Canadian economy and help to support the here affected by the tariff war, such as those in wood, steel, aluminum and automotive.
The Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, reiterated on Tuesday morning the importance of having an agreement with the United States in order to give predictability to the country’s economy.
“There must be an agreement for companies to start investing. Because currently, companies are on a break, they do not invest, they wait to see the agreement with Trump. So it’s really time to have an agreement, even if it is not perfect, “he said.
Monday, Legault hammered that Ottawa should not compromise on “neuralgic sectors” for Quebec, such as supply of supply, culture and language.
“Price for prices, dollar for dollar”
In front of his colleagues, the Prime Minister of Ontario, Doug Ford, wanted to be fighting against the American president, Donald Trump.
“We must make sure to answer price for prices, dollar for dollar, and retaliate as loudly as possible. There is only one thing that President Trump understands is the strength. He does not understand and does not appreciate weakness. He will crush us like a steamroller if we show him even an ounce of weakness, “he said in front of his counterparts.
The Federation’s Council is held in Huntsville, in the Muskoka, Ontario region, until Wednesday.
