Tariff uncertainty remains after PM Carney’s arrival at First Ministers’ meeting

Before and after meeting with Canada’s First Ministers on Tuesday in Huntsville, Prime Minister Mark Carney said much of the same when it comes to reaching a trade deal with the U.S. before 35 per cent tariffs on a wide variety of Canadian goods is implemented on Aug. 1.

“We are looking for the best deal for Canada. We are only going to accept the best deal for Canada and agree on something that is in the interest of Canadians if that’s available,” says Carney.

Political Analyst Keith Leslie says Carney’s answer is concerning.

“He seemed to be suggesting that perhaps we may not get the deal we are looking for and that no matter what happens there will probably be tariffs in any deal we do reach,” Leslie says.

“But right now the premiers are expressing a lot of confidence in Carney in negotiating a deal with the United States but Carney himself seems to be leaving the door open to the fact that we may not get the deal we are looking for.”

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Premier Doug Ford stating his opinion on the trade war bluntly

“We need to make sure we match tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar and hit him back as hard as we possibly can. there’s one thing president trump understands, its strength he doesn’t understand or appreciate weakness,” says Premier Doug Ford.

Ford also says that Canada needs to onshore production of things like aluminum cans and steel beams to avoid tariffs pointing out Hamilton’s Dofasco.

“Dofasco in Hamilton makes tin, ships it all the way out to California. They make the tin cans and they ship them all the way back. Well that has to come to an end too. We need to send them a strong message. We don’t need to take a back seat to anyone in the world and we sure as heck don’t need to take a back seat to President Trump,” says Ford.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ford joined the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan in announcing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) calling for the construction of new pipelines using Ontario steel.

“All of it will be built using great Ontario made and Saskatchewan made steel. Creating jobs, attracting investment and unlocking the full potential of our economy,” says Ford.

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