Canada is “in a stronger position” than it was in 18 months ago when the trade war began and Ottawa “will do whatever it takes” to support workers affected by U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened 50 per cent tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday.
Carney is in Prince Edward Island Thursday, where he is meeting with Canada’s premiers amid new tariff threats from the United States.
Trump’s impending tariffs are the latest in a “series of unilateral unwarranted trade actions,” Carney said in opening remarks ahead of his meeting with premiers.
“We’re clear Canadian governments around this table will do whatever it takes to defend and support our families our workers and our business,” Carney said.
Canada was also in a much stronger position than it was when the trade war began, he added.
“Let’s also be clear that we are in a stronger position than we were when this trade war started 18 months ago,” Carney said.
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“We’re in a stronger position because of the determination of Canadians themselves and I will say this because of the focus of the premiers around this table,” he added.
The First Ministers Meeting comes just days after Trump signed orders to increase tariffs by 50 per cent on a variety of Canadian goods, ranging from hockey sticks to honey to cement.
The U.S. says the tariffs, to be applied Aug. 19, are in response to provincial bans on U.S. liquor, Canada’s supply-managed dairy system and quotas on certain U.S. vehicles.
The premiers say they’re united behind Carney and his negotiators as the federal government tries to de-escalate trade tensions and work on renewing the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement.
But the country’s 13 provincial and territorial leaders will also come to the table with their own requests for Ottawa to increase federal health care funding and accelerate approval for major projects.
The premiers’ face time with Carney comes at the end of a three-day conference in Charlottetown hosted by P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz.
–with files from Canadian Press
Carney misled Canadians on the Gordy Howe bridge deal, he misled Canadians when he said he would get a deal with Trump within a month of becoming PM, now his Liberals are telling us we are in a stronger position on trade negotiations with the US. Let’s face it the Carney Liberals have misled Canadians for more than a year on many issues. They just can’t be trusted to be open and transparent, and most importantly, honest with Canadians.
Let’s ban U.S. junk food.
the double speak is icredible. we just got a deth blow and and now according to them we are better off. amazing lol
Lmao
I am sure his useful.idiots actually believe him as well
Maybe start by putting out the forest fires at home first?
@lw. LOL Carney is “increasing Canadas popularity”? Who care ls about that. We want prosperous and growth not “popularity”.
Nothing but slogans by Carney. All talk and no action.
Easy for PM and MPs to say. They suck the life out of Canadians and still get
Paid… were swirling around the bowl and he knows it. He just doesn’t care.
A pitiful person must have something detestable about them. I pity their misfortune and am angry at their lack of struggle. This is caused by Canada’s own systemic corruption. Whether there is Trump or not is only a matter of time.
As for the provincial governors getting together, they achieved nothing. The last time they got together, did they break down the barriers? Which barrier has been broken in two years? There is no substantial change at all. From top to bottom, saving expenses, eating less of the 130,000-yuan steak and getting less reimbursement for hotels is already making a contribution. As for the provincial governor’s ability, it’s just a joke!
NAZl TRUMP F*CK OFF
Canada,s Mr. Carney is the best thing for this country at this time, I would re-elect him in a second . Person,s speaking ill of him should do their homework before saying anything his negotiating abilities are amazing and are increasing our country,s popularity around the world. Thank you for your leadership.
lol. Is Carney going “Elbows Up”. What a total flop he has been Trump owns Canada. As an Albertan, I would prefer to be with the USA.
Canada needs to take over the states , get rid of the borders and give Trump the boot, take a vote
So much for being the “Trump Whisperer”, How’s your new world order working out now PM Carney? Did no one read Mark Carney’s resume? He nearly bankrupted the entire European union simultaneously, it will take them decades to recover from his harmful, divisive policies. He did this all whole enriching himself at taxpayers expense, he’s a con artist.