Feisty exchange between Essex MP and PM over USMCA photo op with Trump

Essex NDP MP Tracey Ramsey is slamming Justin Trudeau's trade strategy as the Liberals try to have U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs removed on those Canadian materials.

"Is the prime minister so vain that he thinks depriving the U.S. of his presence from a photo op is the best trade strategy to get rid of the tariffs?" Ramsey asked in the House of Commons on Thursday.

Watch the heated exchange between Ramsey and Trudeau:

Essex MP Tracey Ramsey slams the PM over USMCA trade deal, photo op and steel tariffs

6 years ago

Duration 1:00

Essex NDP MP Tracey Ramsey isn't happy with the PM's decision to avoid a USMCA photo op, while still signing the trade deal as steel tariffs remain in place.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will still be signed by the three countries.

However, Canada's ambassador in Washington says the prime minister Trudeau will not be taking part in any sort of signing ceremony alongside U.S. President Donald Trump — unless American tariffs on steel and aluminum are lifted first.

"[Trudeau] just doesn't want his picture [signing] it, and who could blame him? I wouldn't want my picture taken signing it either," said Ramsey. "These tariffs are killing jobs."

Trudeau responded by saying people in the Windsor region are "overwhelmingly" happy with how the USMCA secures access to the United States for years to come.

"As I told the steel and aluminum workers on the floor of their plants, this government has their back," said Trudeau.

He adds Canadian counter-measures will remain in effect until the "unfair" U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are removed.