Team Trump will proceed with a trade deal with Mexico but continue negotiations with Canada after US and Canadian officials failed to reach an agreement on Friday — as President Trump confirmed a report that he would not compromise with America’s northern ally.
“Today the president notified the Congress of his intent to sign a trade agreement with Mexico — and Canada, if it is willing — 90 days from now,” Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement.
Negotiations with Canada will continue next Wednesday, he added.
Trump, in a statement, also praised the deal — even though it does not include Canada, one of the original members of the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.
But prospects for a quick deal with Canada took a hit Friday morning after the revelation that Trump said he would not make any concessions to the country — remarks he later averred.
In comments that Trump wanted to be “off the record,” the president told Bloomberg News reporters Thursday that he won’t make any compromises in the talks with Canada — but that he could not say that publicly because “it’s going to be so insulting they’re not going to be able to make a deal,” the Toronto Star reported.
“Here’s the problem. If I say no — the answer’s no. If I say no, then you’re going to [publish] that, and it’s going to be so insulting they’re not going to be able to make a deal . . . I can’t kill these people,” he said of the Canadian government.
The president also said the possible deal with Canada would be “totally on our terms” and was pressuring the Canadians into submission by repeatedly threatening to impose tariffs on Canadian-made cars, such as the Chevy Impala.
Trump later Friday confirmed that the “off the record” quotes were accurate — and slammed the media for reporting them, “At least Canada knows where I stand!” he tweeted.
Later, at an unrelated event in North Carolina, the president professed his admiration for Canada.
“I even love the national anthem. It’s called, very appropriately, ‘O Canada.’ Would you like for me to sing it?” he said.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland appeared gloomy on Friday.
“We are looking for a good deal, not just any deal, and we will only agree to a deal that is a good deal for Canada,” she said.
Lawmakers, including many in Trump’s own party, say a deal must include Canada to be approved.
With Bloomberg




