Canada has 'good story' to tell U.S. about fentanyl, illegal crossings, Dominic LeBlanc says
Problems that Trump cites in his tariff argument are minimal, federal minister says
Whatever talks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's has with U.S. President Donald Trump about the tariffs going into effect Tuesday shouldn't be considered a negotiation, according to federal Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
"Canadians don't expect the government of Canada to make concessions when we have a free trade agreement that President Trump signed in his last administration and said 'It was great for the United States," LeBlanc said Monday in an interview on Information Morning Moncton.
Over the weekend, Trump announced tariffs on Canadian imports of 25 per cent, except for energy, which faces a 10 per cent tariff.
Shortly after Trump's announcement, Trudeau announced counter-tariffs on thousands of U.S. products.
Trump has linked the U.S. tariffs to national security, specifically to illegal border crossings and fentanyl smuggling, LeBlanc said, but both of these are minimal at the Canadain-U.S. border.
"I'm confident that if the real pretext is border security, we have a very good story to tell the Americans," he said.
New Brunswick targets U.S. booze
In New Brunswick, Premier Susan Holt announced what the province will do to react to the tariffs, which includes measures aimed at American alcohol.
"N.B. Liquor sells $40 million worth of American alcohol products in our stores," Holt said in a statement posted to the province's website.
"I have directed N.B. Liquor to cease purchasing U.S. alcohol and to remove their products from the shelves."
Other moves include reviewing "the government's procurement and stop the signing of deals with United States companies." She also wants a review of internal trade barriers to facilitate more trade between provinces.
More details are expected when Holt speaks to the news media later Monday.
51st state rhetoric
After Canada's retaliatory tariffs were announced, Trump again called for Canada to become the 51st state.
"We don't need anything they have," he said in a social media post.
"Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State."
LeBlanc said while the rhetoric may have started as an attempt at humour around the dinner table, it's no longer funny. It's insulting.
"Canada is never going to be the 51st state."
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With files from Information Morning Moncton
