Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Mexico has been a “solid partner” in North American trade negotiations, but acknowledged that Donald Trump’s concerns about Chinese investment in his economy need to be addressed.
Trudeau walked a delicate line at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Lima, Peru, on Saturday, as world leaders continue to grapple with Trump’s reelection and the prospect of four years of Republican rule in the United States. Joined.
“Mexico was a strong partner in promoting the priorities of Canadians, the priorities and interests of workers across North America,” in the latest round of trade negotiations with the United States, Trudeau told reporters.
“And we will always look to work with our partners to create more opportunities. There are concerns about the level of Chinese investment in Mexico that I think need to be addressed, but I am hopeful that we can work constructively in the coming months and perhaps years to ensure that North America remains an advantageous place. for Americans, for our workers, for our middle class, and it creates real growth.”
Trudeau’s comments came days after Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested Mexico “should not come to the table” in upcoming renegotiations on North American free trade unless the country matches tariffs. Canadians and Americans on Chinese imports.
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Trump, who made US international trade relations a central part of both his first term and his re-election campaign, has accused Mexico of allowing Chinese companies to circumvent the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and export vehicles and spare parts to the North American market.
Canada followed President Joe Biden’s administration’s decision to impose 100 per cent tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China and a 25 per cent tax on Chinese steel and aluminum. Mexico has not yet done the same.
“If Mexico does not fight transshipment, at least by matching Canadian and U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, it should not have a seat at the table or enjoy access to the world’s largest economy,” Ford’s office said in a statement. statement.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith echoed Ford’s criticism in an interview with CBC News earlier this week.
The turmoil by the two conservative prime ministers comes as Canada – and the rest of the world – prepares to face a second Trump presidency and navigate the various promises and threats the president-elect has made over the past two years of campaigning.
Part of that will be a renewed cross-party “Team Canada” charm offensive targeting American politicians from Congress to the state and local levels, a senior government source previously told Global News.
During the last Trump administration, that included prominent conservatives – including Ford himself – trying to free the Canadian economy from Trump’s whims.
Trudeau told reporters that Trump’s pending return to the Oval Office had come up “quite a bit” in conversations with world leaders at the APEC summit.
“People know that Canada managed to lead Trump’s first presidency with significant success in creating jobs and opportunities for Canadian and American workers. (Other leaders) wanted to know what kinds of things they should focus on and I pointed out to them that, you know, emphasize the benefits for everyone, understand that there will be challenging times ahead, that Donald Trump will be much more focused on what is good for America. ”said Trudeau, now in his ninth year as prime minister.
“But because trade can and should be fundamentally beneficial to everyone, there are ways to work on serious but frank and open commitments that provide opportunities for people… Let’s make sure we stand up for our citizens and create growth for everyone because that’s a conversation which we have anyway.”
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