http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-nafta-canada-mexico-1.4692046
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Jack Hill
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Kevin Delaney
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Nope
Methinks they keep coming back For instance Burney has always been a greedy Yankee's best buddy and he is back with his two bit worth N'esy Pas?
"The president has in the past floated the idea of bilateral deals if NAFTA talks fail. Former ambassador to the U.S. Derek Burney said bilateral talks are both feasible and desirable. "I think that we should agree to explore, if for no other reason than to inject a constructive note into our trade dialogue with the U.S.," he said."
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Al Park
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Charles Beale
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John Paul Jones
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David Amos
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Jon Holmes
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Karen King
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Dale Sullivan
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David Amos
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U.S. President Donald Trump wants to try a 'different approach' to NAFTA negotiations after trilateral talks with Canada and Mexico stalled. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Donald Trump's economic adviser said today the U.S. has asked Canada to hold one-on-one North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations as trilateral talks sputter.
Larry Kudlow, director of the U.S. president's National Economic Council, said Trump is now "very seriously contemplating a shift in NAFTA negotiations."
"His preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately," he told Fox News Tuesday.
Kudlow said he spoke yesterday with one of Canada's "top people, right next to the prime minister" about the president's "new thinking," and is now awaiting a response from Canada that could come as early as today. He did not name the official.
"I'm waiting to hear what their reaction is going to be, frankly," he said.
A senior Canadian official said the government is aware of Kudlow's comments and similar remarks made by the president in past.
Canada's position, the official said, is that the negotiations are for a trilateral agreement. Discussions between individual NAFTA partners already happen regularly — so in that sense one-on-one talks are already happening, the official added.
Andrew Leslie, the parliamentary secretary to the foreign affairs minister in charge of Canada-U.S. relations, said there has been speculation about separate negotiations for 18 months, but Canada remains focused on a trilateral agreement.
"As Canada has maintained right from the beginning, we believe in a trilateral NAFTA, we believe that together it's been a win-win-win for our three economies and all three nations have prospered," he said.
"Canada is a different country than Mexico, they have different problems and you know, (Trump has) believed that bilateral has always been better," Kudlow said.
"He hates large treaties. I know this is just three countries, but still, you know, oftentimes when you have to compromise with a whole bunch of countries you get the worst of the deals."
Kudlow said Trump is not going to withdraw from NAFTA, but wants to try a different approach. The president has in the past floated the idea of bilateral deals if NAFTA talks fail.
Former ambassador to the U.S. Derek Burney said bilateral talks are both feasible and desirable.
"I think that we should agree to explore, if for no other reason than to inject a constructive note into our trade dialogue with the U.S.," he said.
Kudlow's remarks came as tensions mount over the U.S. decision to end an exemption on steel and aluminum tariffs that initially had been granted for Canada, Mexico and the EU.
Canada countered by announcing it would slap an estimated $16.6 billion in duties on some steel and aluminum products and other goods from the U.S., including maple syrup, beer kegs, whisky and toilet paper.
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White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow says Trump wants separate talks with Canada and Mexico. (Evan Vucci/Associated Press) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland announced the plan last week, just hours after U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross confirmed the U.S. would impose tariffs of 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on imported aluminum, citing national security interests.
At a news conference announcing the new duties, set to kick in July 1, Trudeau said he abandoned a proposed meeting with Trump in Washington last week after the White House insisted that he first agree to a five-year "sunset clause" in a renegotiated NAFTA.
In a daily briefing today, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump's desire to hold one-on-one talks is not a sign that NAFTA is dead.
"It's not done, but the president is open to having individual deals," she said. "He's looking at the best way to make sure he gets the best deal possible for American workers and whether or not that's through NAFTA or other means, those options are on the table."
Trump wants separate, 1-on-1 NAFTA talks with Canada, Mexico, adviser says
A Canadian official says bilateral NAFTA talks are happening already
Comments
Jack Hill
Aaron Morris
@Jack Hill
Me too. There's a reason cops carry guns too.
Why would you engage in a fair fight when you don't have to?
Me too. There's a reason cops carry guns too.
Why would you engage in a fair fight when you don't have to?
David Amos
@Aaron Morris Oh My Methinks your question does not warrant and answer N'esy Pas?
Kevin Delaney
Trump is but a painful moment in time. Fair exchange re NAFTA is something all want. Trump seeks dominance, fairness has nothing to do with it. Better days are ahead. Trump too will pass.
David Amos
@Kevin Delaney "Better days are ahead. Trump too will pass."
Nope
Methinks they keep coming back For instance Burney has always been a greedy Yankee's best buddy and he is back with his two bit worth N'esy Pas?
"The president has in the past floated the idea of bilateral deals if NAFTA talks fail. Former ambassador to the U.S. Derek Burney said bilateral talks are both feasible and desirable. "I think that we should agree to explore, if for no other reason than to inject a constructive note into our trade dialogue with the U.S.," he said."
Al Park
To a president who "doesn't like to read", I have no doubt that he's got no clue what's involved in ANY deal. The man is a washed up reality tv star....that's it.
Steven Arsenault
@Fletch Peterson
Trump has never been a Multi-Billionaire.
In fact he has lied repeatedly about his wealth. However number crunchers have noted he would have been richer if he just invested his inheritance instead of losing millions in bad deals.
Also the Apprentice saved him along with South Korean developers who wanted his name on their buildings..... Prior to that he was near broke...despite stiffing people wherever he could.
No one does fake news better than Trump....irony at its finest.
Trump has never been a Multi-Billionaire.
In fact he has lied repeatedly about his wealth. However number crunchers have noted he would have been richer if he just invested his inheritance instead of losing millions in bad deals.
Also the Apprentice saved him along with South Korean developers who wanted his name on their buildings..... Prior to that he was near broke...despite stiffing people wherever he could.
No one does fake news better than Trump....irony at its finest.
David Amos
@Steven Arsenault "No one does fake news better than Trump....irony at its finest."
Methinks Obama and his cohorts were every bit as talented with the "Fake News" game everybody knows that not just Trump N'esy Pas?
Methinks Obama and his cohorts were every bit as talented with the "Fake News" game everybody knows that not just Trump N'esy Pas?
Charles Beale
Trumpire is all about divide and conquer, Canada is not.
Jack Hill
@Charles Beale
No, Trudeau has done a pretty fine job of dividing Canada and pitting Canadian against Canadian.
No, Trudeau has done a pretty fine job of dividing Canada and pitting Canadian against Canadian.
David Amos
@Jack Hill YUP
John Paul Jones
The USA now stands alone in the world. Canada should not be so eager to stand next to them.
@John Paul Jones "Canada should not be so eager to stand next to them."
I agree
I agree
Jon Holmes
Every single one of Drumpf's Economic Advisors looks like they've just recently suffered a Stroke or has one foot in the grave. These clowns long for a return to the 60's.
David Amos
@Jon Holmes "These clowns long for a return to the 60's."
Methinks folks should learn to love the circus they are paying for it anyway N'esy Pas?
Methinks folks should learn to love the circus they are paying for it anyway N'esy Pas?
Karen King
Trump does not know what he wants, he wants to look good at everyone else's expense. Wonder if he knows how many really disagree with everything about him!!
David Amos
@Karen King Methinks he does not care to know the awful truth about himself N'esy Pas?
Dale Sullivan
Trump makes me sick.
David Amos
@Dale Sullivan Methinks you are not alone N'esy Pas?
Cole Trickle
When are we getting free trade between provinces?
@Cole Trickle Methinks thou doth jest too much N'esy Pas?
Al Millar
It's sad that people still call him the president . I had much more respect for that office before the Trumps and his crew of misfits came to power . The WH will need a heck of a cleaning to remove the stink of Trump Republicans from it .
Reginald McAlister
@Al Millar
People get the government they deserve. We're hardly much better with the incompetent Mr. Dressup and his gang of scandalous misfits at the helm...
People get the government they deserve. We're hardly much better with the incompetent Mr. Dressup and his gang of scandalous misfits at the helm...
David Amos
@Reginald McAlister YUP
Trump wants separate, 1-on-1 NAFTA talks with Canada, Mexico, adviser says
A Canadian official says bilateral NAFTA talks are happening already
Donald Trump's economic adviser said today the U.S. has asked Canada to hold one-on-one North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations as trilateral talks sputter.
Larry Kudlow, director of the U.S. president's National Economic Council, said Trump is now "very seriously contemplating a shift in NAFTA negotiations."
"His preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately," he told Fox News Tuesday.
Kudlow said he spoke yesterday with one of Canada's "top people, right next to the prime minister" about the president's "new thinking," and is now awaiting a response from Canada that could come as early as today. He did not name the official.
"I'm waiting to hear what their reaction is going to be, frankly," he said.
A senior Canadian official said the government is aware of Kudlow's comments and similar remarks made by the president in past.
Canada's position, the official said, is that the negotiations are for a trilateral agreement. Discussions between individual NAFTA partners already happen regularly — so in that sense one-on-one talks are already happening, the official added.
Andrew Leslie, the parliamentary secretary to the foreign affairs minister in charge of Canada-U.S. relations, said there has been speculation about separate negotiations for 18 months, but Canada remains focused on a trilateral agreement.
"As Canada has maintained right from the beginning, we believe in a trilateral NAFTA, we believe that together it's been a win-win-win for our three economies and all three nations have prospered," he said.
Kudlow said that a bilateral approach would be a way to address significant differences between the countries.
"Canada is a different country than Mexico, they have different problems and you know, (Trump has) believed that bilateral has always been better," Kudlow said.
"He hates large treaties. I know this is just three countries, but still, you know, oftentimes when you have to compromise with a whole bunch of countries you get the worst of the deals."
Kudlow said Trump is not going to withdraw from NAFTA, but wants to try a different approach. The president has in the past floated the idea of bilateral deals if NAFTA talks fail.
Former ambassador to the U.S. Derek Burney said bilateral talks are both feasible and desirable.
"I think that we should agree to explore, if for no other reason than to inject a constructive note into our trade dialogue with the U.S.," he said.
Depending on the outcome, any deal coming out of a series of bilateral talks could supplant or incorporate NAFTA, said Burney, who was chief of staff to former prime minister Brian Mulroney during the final negotiations of the Canada-U.S. free trade deal.
Mounting tensions
Kudlow's remarks came as tensions mount over the U.S. decision to end an exemption on steel and aluminum tariffs that initially had been granted for Canada, Mexico and the EU.
Canada countered by announcing it would slap an estimated $16.6 billion in duties on some steel and aluminum products and other goods from the U.S., including maple syrup, beer kegs, whisky and toilet paper.
At a news conference announcing the new duties, set to kick in July 1, Trudeau said he abandoned a proposed meeting with Trump in Washington last week after the White House insisted that he first agree to a five-year "sunset clause" in a renegotiated NAFTA.
In a daily briefing today, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump's desire to hold one-on-one talks is not a sign that NAFTA is dead.
"It's not done, but the president is open to having individual deals," she said. "He's looking at the best way to make sure he gets the best deal possible for American workers and whether or not that's through NAFTA or other means, those options are on the table."
Trump is no different.