Canada-U.S. talks will focus on lifting Trump tariffs: Canadian envoy
Global News
Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman said Monday that initial negotiations with Trump's team will focus on lifting tariffs.
Ottawa’s top diplomat in Washington says talks to negotiate any new deals with the United States will prioritize ending U.S President Donald Trump’s ruinous tariffs on Canadian exports.
Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman said Monday that initial negotiations with Trump’s team will focus on lifting tariffs, as well as specific bilateral issues between Canada and the U.S.
“Dealing with those tariffs, and getting Canada into a position where we are finding stability in the trading relationship, is our number one priority with the Americans,” Hillman said. “There is no discussion to be had with the Americans without that being on the table from Canada’s perspective. That is a starting point for us.”
Trump also said he wants changes to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, called CUSMA. Hillman said talks specific to the continental trade pact will take place separately at a later date.
Trump slapped Canada with 25 per cent economywide duties in March, only to partially pause tariffs on imports compliant with CUSMA a few days later. Canada is also being hit with tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles.
CUSMA was negotiated during the first Trump administration and some experts say the tariffs were meant to rattle Canada and Mexico ahead of a mandatory review next year.
Hillman said in the week since Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Trump at the White House, she has spoken with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and International Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been in contact with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
“The process now will be to get those discussions started in a serious and substantive way,” Hillman said.
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