Justin Trudeau walks a delicate line at APEC summit after Donald Trump’s reelection, says Canada will ‘always look to work with our partners.’
Mexico has been a “solid partner” in North American trade talks, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but he also noted that Donald Trump’s worries about Chinese investment in its economy must be addressed.
At Saturday’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Lima, Peru, Trudeau was treading carefully as international leaders continue to struggle with Trump’s reelection and the possibility of four years of Republican government in the US.
In the most recent round of trade talks with the United States, Trudeau reminded reporters that Mexico was a strong partner in furthering the interests and goals of workers throughout North America as well as the priorities of Canadians.
“And we’ll never stop trying to collaborate with our partners to expand opportunities.” The amount of Chinese investment in Mexico raises some issues that I believe need to be addressed, but I have faith that we can work together in the upcoming months and maybe years to make sure that North America continues to be a beneficial region for North Americans, our workers, and our middle class, and spurs genuine growth.
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Trudeau’s remarks followed Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s suggestion that Mexico “shouldn’t have a seat at the table” in the next free trade renegotiations in North America unless it matched U.S. and Canadian duties on Chinese goods.
Trump has accused Mexico of permitting Chinese businesses to sell automobiles and parts into the North American market without going through the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Trump made the United States’ international trade agreements a major focus of both his first term and his reelection campaign.
Canada adopted President Joe Biden’s administration’s policy of imposing a 25% tax on Chinese steel and aluminum and 100% tariffs on Chinese-imported electric automobiles. Mexico hasn’t done the same yet.
Mexico should not have access to the world’s largest economy or a place at the table if it does not combat transshipment by matching U.S. and Canadian duties on Chinese goods, according to a statement from Ford’s office.
In an interview with CBC News earlier this week, Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta reiterated Ford’s critique.
As Canada and the rest of the globe get ready to face a second Trump presidency and deal with the numerous promises and threats the president-elect has made during the previous two years of campaigning, the two conservative premiers are agitated.
According to a senior government source who previously spoke to Global News, part of that would be a fresh cross-partisan charm offensive aimed at American lawmakers at all levels, from Congress to the state and municipal levels.
Ford and other well-known conservatives tried to protect the Canadian economy from Trump’s caprices during the previous Trump presidency.
Trump’s impending return to the White House had come up “quite a bit” in discussions with international leaders during the APEC conference, Trudeau told reporters.
People are aware that Canada successfully navigated the first Trump administration by generating employment opportunities and jobs for both American and Canadian people. Trudeau, who is currently in his ninth year as prime minister, added, “You know, highlighting the win-wins, understanding that there are going to be challenging moments ahead, that Donald Trump will be very much focused on what’s good for the United States.” “Other leaders wanted to know what kinds of things they need to be focused on,” Trudeau said.
However, there are methods to operate in serious but open and honest exchanges that provide individuals opportunity since commerce can and should be win-win at its core. We talk about it anyhow, so let’s make sure we’re advocating for our people and fostering progress for everybody.