The mayor of Brampton, Ont., says “no deal is better than a bad deal” if the auto sector isn’t included — a common phrase used in the past year about Canada’s ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S.
“I hope we can get a trade deal but my understanding is that the U.S. side, the Trump side has tried to put forward proposals that don’t include the auto sector and so no deal is better than a bad deal,” said Patrick Brown on Saturday.
“I hope that if there is a continued trade agreement with the United States, that we’re going to continue to have free trade on auto.”
Brown’s comments come a day after Unifor said Stellantis was strongly considering closing an assembly plant in Brampton.
President Lana Payne said the company had notified it would move the future Jeep Compass production slated for Brampton to the U.S., “idling the plant indefinitely.”
“Throughout this entire time, though, it’s important to note, Stellantis has reiterated to us its commitment to Brampton and our members,” Payne said, speaking in Toronto.
The company told Global News it was about to enter negotiations with its workers’ union, and the focus “remains on finding a sustainable manufacturing solution for Brampton Assembly.”
New tariffs proposed by Trump against Canada loom over negotiations currently taking place. A source with direct knowledge of the negotiations says they’re not close to signing a trade deal to reduce current duties and avoid the new ones.
It’s been a week of negotiations in Washington so far, with multiple sources labelling it as constructive, with negotiators on both sides “nerding out” and reviewing individual tariffs on a line-by-line basis.
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Even with constructive talks, Global News has learned there’s still a way to go, even with the 50 per cent tariffs set to come into place Aug. 19.
Global News has agreed not to identify the sources because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the trade talks.
Any deal the Trump administration is willing to sign will have some form of tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and lumber, according to sources. The U.S. has also insisted American alcohol must be put back onto all provincial store shelves, which multiple premiers have expressed a willingness to do if enough U.S. concessions are made.
If a deal is reached, tariffs on Canadian autos and parts compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) would remain in place, but it is expected they would be reduced from the current 25 per cent level, according to a source familiar with the talks. One proposal that has been discussed is a tariff rate of between 10-15 per cent on CUSMA-compliant autos and parts, according to one source.
While a potential deal could include a reduction, auto industry insiders have said the tariffs represent a major threat to the industry in Canada, and they would not support any tariff level on CUSMA-compliant parts and autos.
“We shouldn’t be offering any concessions to the United States right now,” Payne said at Friday’s news conference. “The reality is they have, the U.S. has imposed tariffs on Canada. We have retaliated by having counter-tariffs in the auto sector specifically and by doing that we created leverage for ourselves in these discussions with the U.S. right now.”
Payne went on to say if no deal is reached by Aug. 19 that Canada should retaliate “and retaliate hard.”
The U.S. has previously said the 50 per cent tariffs proposed are in response to retaliatory measures and warned they must be lifted before a deal will be reached.
With the tariff deadline only days away, Brown said he’s hopeful a deal can be reached that includes auto because Trump’s tariffs have been “devastating” for the North American industry.
—with files from Global News’ Sean O’Shea, Mackenzie Gray, Sergio Vargas, Bryan Mullan, Sean Boynton and Uday Rana
Caveman Carney is never going to get a trade deal, he will be lucky to get the new 50% tariffs removed.
Liberals talk tough with their elbows up, then cry about how Trump hurt their feelings with his 51st state jokes.
@Anonymous
“Trudeau is a giant compared to those empty husks.”
He is a giant alright. A giant failure that got kicked out by his own party.
Oh dont worry Oinktario, you will be looked after! Ol Dougy has been s*cking hard on everything he can for you! Carney is pitching billions and billions to you all while the rest of us get f*ck all.
Dear fugging idiote…there will be no auto sector if no deal is made.
We would be so much further along if we negotiated in silence and idiots like Ebey and Ford and other elbow up pundits kept their mouths shut. And more importantly if our media never mentioned DJT ever..narcissists love all the attention…and we hand deliver it to him on a platter.
Build better cars in North America first! Quality is down the toilet and cost is going through the roof. Wonder why Ford Lightning’s had absurd number of recalls and $1 bil in cost?
I hope Trump gets taxed for his chicken move of leaving his staff behind on Air Force One and swapping over to the old AF1. Rolling eyes emoji. lol
We need to stop knocking each other on sites like this, and start doing more things to illustrate to Trump by our actions that we will never kiss his ass.
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Meanwhile Carney still on his opulent vacation in Italy on the tax payers dime. Outrageous.
@Anonymous. Trudeau had nothing to offer and ran Canada into the ditch. You must have liked his hair and socks plus all the black shoe polish on his face.
You should probably tell Unifor.
Is it July 21, 2025 yet?
Turdeau and carnhole 69ing with each other, living da life LoL!
@ Wayne Anixter – right back at ya.
Conservatives sneer at Justin Trudeau but ran Scheer, O’Toole and Poilievre against him. Don’t be so arrogant.
Trudeau is a giant compared to those empty husks.
Canadians heads are about to get pushed under the water but the Liberal Party doesn’t care as they float in safety on the SS Carney Showboat
This is not news, just your typical Global reporters rewriting the same story over and over and calling it new “News”.
I just laugh at this network.
The west doesn’t care about the Ontario auto industry. They show no concern for our industries.
Trump wants cars to go to the USA, to be made in the USA. This is his prerogative. Canadians can make the same decision. Canada want unrestricted access to the USA, for its own selfish reasons. Trump doing right for his country, unlike Carney.
Canadians sneer about Trump, but forget they voted for Trudeau 3 times. Dont be so arrogant
@AB Proud
Exactly. Eastern Canada laughed at Alberta when they screwed our economy and now their economy’s under attack and they want sympathy from Albertans?
Carneys book “Values” outlines how he wants to shut our auto, oil and manufacturing to save the planet. No deal effectively kills our auto industry, a bad deal is no deal. Ontop of this our auto industry was dead because of liberal policy
Brampton mayor should be asked “why should the USA allow Canada that doesn’t make a vehicle of their own to subsidize the building of cars for a US company that takes away jobs from US citizens”
Canada should be building their own brand of cars like Sweden’s Volvo or Germany’s Volkswagen. Not rely on building other countries cars.
Brampton is a Colony of India.Why are they concerned about Canada/U.S. trade?
Any Canada-U.S. trade deal must include a dinner date with Charlize Theron for me.
Alberta traitors. Go blow trump, that’s all you’re good for
If Ontario car industry collapses that Is not a concern of Alberta. They show no support for the Western Canadian Oil and Gas Industry when it was under attack by Trudeau.
Why do media outlets give so much attention to this guy. Who cares what PB has to say trade is a federal issue now this paper is reporting it
Either this paper has become total trash, or wait nope thats it
Alberta will basically remain unscathed as Trump tariffs on O&G is minimal. In fact, Ottawa “taxes” and regulations are more of a threat to Alberta than Trump. Alberta has resources MAGA requires, unlike Ontario. I would prefer to be in the USA.
Stellantis has received $10b from the feds since 2015 to keep this failing auto maker’s operations in Canada.
How much of this money will be returned to taxpayers if/when they close up shop and flee to the US?
Can’t wait for the new Trump tariffs come in. Canada wanted to go “Elbows Up” and badmouth the USA. So here we are. USA Elbows Up!
Whatever comrade ali. What kind of name is ali? Sounds non american. Perhaps another fake?
TDS is proving his condition is terminal.
Ontarios manufacturing is gone forever. Enjoy your poverty. Keep voting the way you do… and suffer
@jfk
It showed 3 waves hit the shores of France. British, American and Canadian. Have no problem with americans except for trump and his slaves.
Tom Hanks the American. See you do love America
You should watch that ww2 series on the history channel narrated by Tom Hanks. Maybe you should also remember how our embassy hide your diplomats when iran went nuts, or maybe how we too in a lot of americans on 9/11 when aeroplanes were rerouted. Now, that would not be alive trump way of thinking. Fake.
Canada lives because of America 🇺🇸
Canada liberated the Netherlands but I guess that was only because of the great americans. Move from Alberta if you don’t like it here.
Wars are difficult. Canada wouldn’t know as they just sit on the sidelines and hand out Gatorade. Lol
Besides, why would the great american be consumed with reading a Canadian news outlet if you are so mighty. Fake.
@Tex
How’s that iran war going LOL!
@Trump Demented Supporter.
At least the USA has might. Unlike Canada that virtues signals and talks platitudes that are never realized.
Carney sold Canadians false hope with “Elbows Up” and in reality there is no stopping MAGA.
DID U GET BLESSINGS FROM OUR SAVIOUR/HERO PUPETT CARNEY ? I THINK NOT
Fake americans flapping their lips. Most of the world didn’t like or trust americans before trump and now the world just hates them. Iran has proven the mighty americans are not so mighty like they think they are.
Trump is doing right for the USA and American workers. Our concern is not Canadian workers. Eat or be eaten, life isn’t fair.
@Lynn. Your comment are quite erroneous. You realize the USA is a superpower and one of the largest free markets in the world. Many countries would love you attain access that Canada has, and would be willing to displace incoming Canadian goods.
Why do reporters write articles around people who have no bearing on this trade deal? Typical Global News, garbage media.
@Philip in Iowa your comment is comical given the fact that Trump has very few allies left in the world and the only country being isolated is the USA. The world no longer trusts the USA, there word isn’t worth the paper it is written on. Did you see any countries rushing to help Trump in his war of choice with Iran? You may not think so but Trump is the laughing stock of the world. If you want Trump to slap 100 percent tariffs by all means make sure Trump includes oil, electricity, natural gas, refined petroleum, potash just to name a few. Let me know how the USA makes out. @ Michigan that’s fine you don’t want cars made in Canada but, then why would we want the massive amount of American vehicles exported here. Maybe you want to talk to the big 3 automakers about this, maybe then can help you out with this.
Quebec cattle and their ranchers are at riak here people…they don’t deserve to be executed.
This is insanity.
Canada is so arrogant and smug. Trump should cut off access to the US market by high tariffs. USA should isolate Canada and increase trade with Mexico and other more trustworthy countries. Canada can go Elbows Up and on its own.
We don’t need any Canadian made cars in the USA. They gouge us anyways has why Trump wants to move all auto manufacturing within the USA.
Patrick Brown grandstanding yet again
How can Canada justify fighting to build ICE vehicles that spew planet killing CO2 for the US market, while mandating Canadians into EV junk to save the planet?
What’s up with that, eh?
But, but Mark scraped the EV mandate. Nope Mark just rebranded it as a zero tailpipe emissions mandate.