As US President Donald Trump threatens to extend tariffs on Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal authorities is “solely accountable” for the nation’s ongoing commerce negotiations with its southern neighbor.
“It’s the sole duty of the federal government of Canada to have these discussions with the USA and it’s the greatest path ahead,” he advised reporters on Sunday.
Carney was in Malaysia for the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations leaders’ summit.
His feedback got here hours after Trump threatened to impose a ten% tariff on prime of what was already in place in Canada, in response to an promoting marketing campaign launched by Ontario that aired on American tv.
In a put up on his Reality Social platform Saturday night time Jap Time, Trump as soon as once more criticized Canada for airing an advert that options clips of former President Ronald Reagan.
“Their advert ought to have been taken down IMMEDIATELY, however they let it run final night time throughout the World Sequence, realizing it was FRAUD,” Trump stated.
It isn’t but clear how or when the brand new tariff will probably be carried out or for which merchandise.
The advert was aired by the Ontario authorities on North American tv networks final week and options photographs of Individuals from all walks of life going about their days to vibrant music, with clips from Reagan’s 1987 radio speech.
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In that speech, Reagan spoke about “free and honest commerce” and the way he seen the dangers of tariffs and protectionism in opposition to the tariffs that the US was imposing on Japanese merchandise on the time.
The speech itself lasted 5 minutes, whereas the Ontario announcement that includes Reagan’s feedback lasted a few minute.
On Thursday night time, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Basis and Institute posted on X that the advert “misrepresents the ‘Presidential Radio Handle to the Nation on Free and Honest Commerce’ dated April 25, 1987.” It added that Ontario didn’t obtain permission from the inspiration to “use and edit the feedback.”
Ontario’s announcement prompted Trump to announce he was slicing off all commerce negotiations with Canada.
The Prime Minister’s Workplace confirmed Friday that Carney and Trump haven’t spoken because the president broke off talks.
Whereas he didn’t particularly point out the tariffs imposed on Malaysia on Sunday, the prime minister did deal with his personal nation’s work on commerce with different nations.
“We respect commerce agreements and the rule of regulation,” Carney advised the leaders’ summit. “We worth the alternate of products, capital and concepts.”
Regardless of this, Carney advised reporters in a while Sunday that the federal authorities stays dedicated to discovering a commerce cope with the US.
“The federal government of Canada stands able to construct on the progress we have now made in our negotiations and in our discussions with our American counterparts,” stated Carney.
Each Carney and Trump will probably be in shut proximity this week, with the leaders scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation discussion board in South Korea.
Throughout his speech to leaders on Sunday, Carney additionally reiterated his earlier feedback in regards to the want for dependable companions, highlighting “transactional bilateral commerce” and what he noticed as a brand new period of great-power rivalry that’s difficult the worldwide establishments that international locations like Canada and Southeast Asian international locations have relied on.
He additionally highlighted his administration’s plan to double exports outdoors the US over the subsequent decade and quadruple protection spending over the subsequent 4 years.
Carney additionally highlighted the current commerce cope with Indonesia, the primary with an ASEAN member, and promised to maneuver rapidly on bilateral agreements with different international locations.
The prime minister’s workplace additionally stated Carney and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had agreed to attempt to finalize a bilateral settlement in 2026.
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