The provincial leaders in Canada are taking the lead in countering the Trump tariff threat as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to exit on March 9
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As the threat of US economic sanctions looms large on Ottawa, the leaders of all Canadian provinces and territories are touching down in Washington DC simultaneously to urge top lawmakers to rethink their policy.
The Canadian leaders are hoping to get relief from the Donald Trump administration as they get ready to flash their ‘China’ card.
‘Opposition in US to Canada tariffs’
Among those travelling to the US capital is Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who said Tuesday (February 11) that the plan to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican goods didn’t enjoy consensus in the US.
“Over the last few months, I’ve met and spoken with senators, congressmen and women, governors from every region of America, and from both sides of the aisle, and I’ll tell you what they say — they won’t say it publicly — they say ‘This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,’” Ford was quoted as saying in a Bloomberg report.
However, it’s not clear whether the Canadian premiers would be able to access Trump’s inner circle.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said those meetings would only be confirmed at “the last minute”.
“We are trying hard to get those meetings, and I can assure you that we do have meetings set up with a number of senior decision-makers in government, but those closest to the president will be confirmed at the last minute — if we do get those meetings,” he told reporters before flying to the US at Vancouver’s airport late Monday.
The ‘China card’
As of now, it’s clear that Canadian leaders would be focusing on aligning themselves with the US on China, what the Trump administration perceives as a major threat.
While addressing the US Chamber of Commerce recently, the Ontario premier said his strategy “Fortress Am-Can” would focus on mirroring American policy on China, and restrict Chinese investments and trade ties.
Ford also highlighted that China was trying to “hijack” global supply chains and that “America has had enough. American workers have had enough. And I’ve had enough.”
The provincial leaders in Canada are taking the lead in countering the Trump tariff threat as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to exit on March 9. Trudeau formally resigned on January 6 but will remain in position until a vote takes place to replace him.
(With inputs from agencies)