Trudeau says call with Trump was ‘colourful’ and warns trade war will continue for ‘foreseeable future’
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently described his phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump as “colourful,” highlighting moments of tension as the two leaders discussed how to end the ongoing trade war. Trudeau mentioned that negotiations are still in progress to secure tariff relief for certain sectors, but he also warned that Trump shows no signs of completely dropping the levies. This indicates that the trade dispute is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
During the 50-minute conversation between Trudeau and Trump, which took place on Wednesday, the atmosphere was heated but substantive. Trudeau expressed optimism about finding a resolution to the trade issues in the short term. However, he also acknowledged that Trump seems committed to maintaining tariffs in the long run.
In the midst of these discussions, Trump reached a deal with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to exempt Mexican products from tariffs for at least a month. There were speculations that Trump might consider dropping all Canadian and Mexican tariffs until April, as indicated by Howard Lutnick, Trump’s commerce secretary. This move could potentially cover all goods and services compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.
Despite these developments, there have been instances where Lutnick’s statements have not been accurate. For example, he falsely claimed that car manufacturers shifted their factories to Canada due to the absence of labor unions in the country. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized that Trump holds the final decision-making authority on trade-related matters, not Lutnick.
Additional details emerged about the Trudeau-Trump call, revealing that Trump used profanity while discussing dairy products, a contentious issue for the U.S. He also expressed concerns about fentanyl, to which Trudeau reiterated Canada’s efforts to address the drug issue. The call concluded on a somewhat friendly note, with both leaders agreeing to further discussions on exempting CUSMA-compliant products from tariffs.
Trudeau emphasized Canada’s commitment to retaliatory tariffs and other measures until all tariffs are removed. He highlighted Canada’s strong bargaining position and unity in standing up against unjustified trade actions by the U.S. The government remains firm in its resolve to protect Canadian interests and citizens amidst the ongoing trade dispute.
In conclusion, Trudeau’s call with Trump sheds light on the complexities of international trade negotiations and the importance of maintaining a strong stance in defending national interests. The outcomes of these discussions will have significant implications for Canada’s economy and trade relations with the U.S.
