Canada 'should fight' as US trade deadline looms
Manitoba premier urges Canada to hold out against US trade terms as Friday night deadline approaches and negotiators work to finalize a deal.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Manitoba premier urges Canada not to rush into trade concessions with the US
- Negotiations face a strict Friday night deadline to avert new US tariffs
- Leaked details suggest potential reductions on steel, aluminum, and car tariffs
- Canada could lose up to 90,000 jobs if the threatened tariffs take effect
High-stakes trade negotiations between Canada and the United States have reached a critical juncture, with just hours remaining before a US-imposed deadline and provincial leaders sharply divided over how Prime Minister Mark Carney should handle the pressure.
Wab Kinew, premier of the province of Manitoba, has strongly criticized the prospective trade arrangement and urged his country to stand its ground rather than rush into making concessions to satisfy American demands.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is scheduled to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Friday morning following a marathon three-hour discussion on Thursday. LeBlanc informed reporters after the meeting that both delegations were coming very close to finalizing an agreement.
According to details leaked to media outlets, the US may agree to halve proposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 50% to 25%, alongside reducing automobile tariffs from 25% to 15%. In exchange, Canada is reportedly considering granting American dairy producers broader market access and lifting retaliatory tariffs.
"Let it sit on the shelf."
Wab Kinew, Manitoba Premier
While Kinew stated he would reluctantly permit the return of American alcohol sales in his province if it benefited the broader national interest, he explicitly encouraged Canadian consumers not to purchase the items, expressing harsh skepticism toward the negotiations.
This trade standoff highlights the intricate economic interdependence between the US and Canada, as well as the domestic political risks facing Prime Minister Carney. Having campaigned on a combative trade stance, yielding to US pressure risks alienating domestic stakeholders, whereas failing to secure a deal could devastate critical Canadian manufacturing and export sectors.
Reactions among other provincial leaders remain mixed. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette noted she is assessing the impact on local farmers, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford has yet to issue a public statement. Meanwhile, polling data from Leger indicates that 56% of surveyed Canadians favor a hardline approach against significant concessions.
Source: BBC Business
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment