Despite securing a month-long reprieve from US tariffs, Canadian officials remain anxious about the escalating tensions with President Trump. While relieved, they anticipate further pressure and concessions demands from the US.
Despite securing a month-long reprieve from potentially devastating U.S. tariffs, a palpable sense of anxiety permeates the ranks of senior Canadian government officials responsible for navigating the fraught relationship with President Donald Trump . Following a tumultuous weekend punctuated by frantic negotiations to avert the looming threat of 25 percent tariffs, there is a pervasive apprehension that the Canada -U.S. relationship is destined for further deterioration.
While Canadian officials are relieved that Trump refrained from implementing his tariff ultimatum for now, they remain acutely aware that he will not relinquish his inclination to leverage his formidable economic power against his northern neighbor. There is a widespread expectation that Trump will relentlessly pursue concessions from Canada, wielding his economic clout as a formidable instrument of pressure. This assessment stems from confidential conversations with seven senior Canadian government sources, spanning both federal and provincial levels, conducted by CBC News to gain a comprehensive understanding of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering during the urgent bid to avert tariffs.Time was rapidly dwindling for Canada to persuade U.S. President Trump to abandon his plan to impose 25 percent tariffs on his closest trading partners. Although Trump had issued numerous threats since assuming office, he had recently floated the possibility of tariffs taking effect on February 1st for both Canada and Mexico. For months, a politically diverse coalition of Canadian politicians, premiers, diplomats, and business leaders had been diligently cultivating their U.S. connections in an effort to convince Trump that tariffs would inflict harm upon Americans by escalating the cost of living. However, these endeavors had proved fruitless. On Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced from her podium that tariffs were indeed imminent, with all pertinent details to be unveiled on Saturday. This declaration further amplified the pressure on Canadian officials, who were scheduled to meet with Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, in hopes of conveying a persuasive message to the president and persuading him to reverse course. Homan agreed to meet in Washington, D.C., with Canada's Ambassador Kirsten Hillman and three Canadian cabinet ministers: Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, and Immigration Minister Marc Miller. According to a senior Canadian government source, the delegation had meticulously prepared an extensive presentation, encompassing videos to showcase advancements in border security. The source states that they provided a detailed exposition of Canada's previously announced $1.3-billion border plan, repeatedly emphasizing to Homan's team that Canada remains receptive to any suggestions for enhanced collaboration. As Canadian officials engaged with their American counterparts, it became increasingly evident that Trump viewed a retaliatory Canadian tariff response as an escalation.
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