U.S. throws cold water on Carney’s July 21 trade deal deadline
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has stated that the United States will not commit to a trade agreement with Canada by July 21st.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has stated that the United States will not commit to a trade agreement with Canada by July 21st. This comes despite the Canadian government's previous indications that a deal would be reached by that date.
The Liberal government recently rescinded the Digital Services Tax to resume negotiations. However, Canada would impose new tariffs unless a trade deal is reached by July 21. This caveat comes amid Ambassador Hoekstra’s reluctance to expedite trade negotiations.
In an interview with CTV News, Hoekstra said that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump will not commit to reaching a trade agreement by the 21st in the renewed trade talks, but said that the negotiations are ongoing.
“Well I mean I’m not going to commit to a date,” said Hoekstra.
“I wouldn’t characterize it [the negotiations] as tumultuous. We’re working through some things, we’ve got some things that we believe will make trade freer, fairer, and better for both countries. That’s okay.”
Last year, the Liberal government under former prime minister Justin Trudeau passed into law the Digital Services Tax Act, with the levy set to hit major tech companies on June 30. The tax would have applied a 3 per cent tax on Canadian revenues of large digital firms earning at least $20 million annually.
However, Trump said that he would be ending all trade negotiations with Canada and would prescribe a tariff rate to be applied on Canadian goods so long as the Carney government maintains the Digital Services Tax, prompting the government to rescind the tax.
However, Carney said that Canada would impose new tariffs against American goods if a deal is not reached before July 21.
Hoekstra said that a new trade deal will require Canada to accept some tariffs on exports to the United States, though he did not specify on what products these tariffs would be applied and at what rate.
“The president has made it clear that I think every country is going to pay some level of tariffs, but the overall agreement at the end of the day I think is going to be good for Canada and I think it’s going to be good for America,” said Hoekstra.
Hoekstra said that Canada and the U.S. will work out a deal in lieu of the Trump administration’s recent approach of sending countries letters with prescribed tariff rates that were not negotiated with that country.
“Canada is one of our biggest trading partners. We’re going to have an outline, we’re going to have a deal that’s articulated, we’re not gonna send Canada just a letter,” said Hoekstra.
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Throwing cold water on Carney.
NOW!!! There is a most excellent idea.
Still waiting for him to do something.. ANYTHING ... That he promised during the election where he stole all of his sellable ideas from the party that should be in power but once again was displaced by low information Liberal voters.
AND YET... Even the Conservatives were foolish enough to give him even more power to make decisions without consulting or the approval of due Parliamentary process.
Funny... New head on the same snake but behaving pretty much the same without the liking for weird socks.
No surprise.