In the last week, Donald Trump has upped the ante in NAFTA negotiations, threatening Canadian dairy and imposing tariffs on softwood lumber. Today he announced he would unilaterally pull the U.S. out of NAFTA. The Council of Canadians is available to comment on these developments.
“The dubious strategy of not standing up to U.S. President Donald Trump, and trying to placate him, is not working,” said Maude Barlow, one of the veteran commentators on NAFTA and National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “Canada has its own grievances, and it is time Trudeau defends our interests – not just for Canadians but as a global leader who protects the planet.”
She continued: “In particular, we are the most-sued developed country in the world because of corporate NAFTA Chapter 11 lawsuits. We have done little to protect Canadian water, and thus the planet’s water, in NAFTA. And we are obligated to guarantee energy exports to the U.S., forcing us to keep expanding the tar sands despite our commitments under the Paris climate agreement. Prime Minister Trudeau has to go on the counter-attack and stand up for all of us.”
“It is clear that a lot of Trump’s behaviour is a bluff, intended to make Canada and the U.S. Congress cave in before the negotiations even start,” said Sujata Dey, Trade Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. “But it is time for Trudeau to call him on his bluff, and speak to him in declarations, not just respond to his every threat with capitulation.”
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For more information:
Sujata Dey, 613-796-7724, sdey@canadians.org
