Former chief trade negotiator Steve Verheul warns that Alberta's reluctance to support retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. is weakening Canada's negotiating position amidst escalating trade tensions. While Prime Minister Trudeau has secured support from most provinces to counter Trump's threats, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith advocates for a more conciliatory approach, drawing criticism from Verheul and other premiers.
Ottawa's former chief trade negotiator, Steve Verheul, has expressed concern that Alberta 's approach to the escalating trade dispute with the U.S. is jeopardizing Canada 's efforts to counter President Donald Trump 's threat of imposing damaging tariffs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has successfully rallied most premiers to adopt a united front, pledging to deploy all sectors of the Canadian economy to retaliate against Trump's plan to impose 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian imports.
However, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stands in opposition, advocating against retaliatory tariffs or energy export restrictions, instead emphasizing the need for finding common ground with the U.S. Verheul attributes Canada's successful renegotiation of NAFTA, culminating in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), during Trump's first presidency, to the consistent and unified messaging from provinces, industry, and Ottawa. He emphasizes that Alberta's diverging stance has significantly weakened Canada's position in this current trade conflict.Verheul emphasizes the importance of bringing Alberta on board with the rest of Canada's approach to the U.S., stating that the province's independent stance has negatively impacted Canada's negotiating power. He describes Canada's current situation as one of 'damage control' and calls for a unified response to mitigate the potential damage from Trump's tariffs. Since Verheul's comments, other premiers have echoed his concerns, expressing reservations about imposing tariffs on energy exports. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Quebec Premier François Legault, and others have voiced their opposition to such measures, highlighting the need for a collaborative approach with the provinces.Trump's rhetoric continues to escalate, reiterating his stance that Canada should become an American state and questioning the necessity of Canadian imports. He falsely claims that the U.S. subsidizes Canada, leading to Canada's dependence. Trump's remarks have been met with condemnation by Canadian officials, who dismiss his claims as 'unfortunate rhetoric' and 'offensive'. Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair asserts that Canada will never become a 'failed state' and that Trump's pronouncements are inaccurate and inflammatory. Chrystia Freeland, a Liberal leadership candidate and key figure in the NAFTA renegotiations, unequivocally states that Canada will not become a 'failed state' if Trump's threatened tariffs are implemented. The situation remains tense, with Canada seeking to maintain a united front against Trump's aggressive trade policies while navigating the complexities of inter-provincial differences in approach
CANADA UNITED STATES TRADE DISPUTE TARIFFS DONALD TRUMP JUSTIN TRUDEAU ALBERTA DANIELLE SMITH
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alberta Undermining Canada's Tariff Efforts, Says Former Trade NegotiatorSteve Verheul, Ottawa's former chief trade negotiator, accuses Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of jeopardizing Canada's united front against potential U.S. tariffs. While most premiers support retaliatory measures, Smith advocates for finding common ground with the U.S. and avoiding threats of energy export cuts. Verheul criticizes Alberta for weakening Canada's position on the global stage.
Read more »
Former chief trade negotiator says Alberta undermining Canada in U.S. tariff talksOTTAWA — Ottawa's former chief trade negotiator Steve Verheul says Alberta is undermining Canada's attempts to prevent the U.S. from levying damaging tariffs.
Read more »
Former chief trade negotiator says Alberta undermining Canada in U.S. tariff talksOTTAWA — Ottawa's former chief trade negotiator Steve Verheul says Alberta is undermining Canada's attempts to prevent the U.S. from levying damaging tariffs.
Read more »
Former chief trade negotiator says Alberta undermining Canada in U.S. tariff talksOttawa’s former chief trade negotiator Steve Verheul says Alberta is undermining Canada’s attempts to prevent the U.S. from levying damaging tariffs.
Read more »
Alberta Opens Doors to B.C. Wineries, Sparking Hope for Canada-wide Free TradeAn interprovincial agreement allows Albertans to order wine directly from over 300 B.C. wineries, raising hopes for nationwide free trade. While the agreement is hailed as a win for B.C.'s wineries, many are calling for the elimination of barriers across Canada, particularly in large markets like Quebec and Ontario.
Read more »
Alberta Premier Objects to Federal Tariffs as Canada Prepares for Trump Trade WarCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial leaders met to discuss a unified response to Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. While most premiers supported a coordinated retaliation strategy, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith strongly opposed the federal government's potential use of export levies or restrictions on energy exports.
Read more »