UNITED ON NAFTA
New England governors, Eastern Canadian premiers express support for free trade agreement during meeting in P.E.I.
New England governors, Eastern Canadian premiers express support for free trade agreement during meeting in P.E.I.
Political and business leaders from across Eastern Canada and New England showed a united front Monday stressing the importance of the trade relationship between Canada and the United States at a meeting in P.E.I.
During the 41st annual conference of New England governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers held in Charlottetown, the key issues up for discussion were regional co-operation and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump published a tweet once again suggesting he might tear up the agreement, saying both Canada and Mexico are being “very difficult.”
But top industry leaders, premiers and New England governors and state representatives all expressed optimism Monday that NAFTA will not be terminated.
Maine Governor Paul LePage, a Republican Trump ally, says people shouldn’t read too much into what they hear about Trump’s opinion on NAFTA.
He said he has spoken to Trump about the agreement and believes the president respects the need to have an open relationship with Canada.
“He understands the value of Canada as an ally and as an economic partner, and I see no reason whatsoever to read things into it.”
For his part, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy says he hopes Trump’s tough talk on trade is all bluster.
He didn’t mince words when asked about the president’s tweets threatening to rip up NAFTA.
“In 1864 when the Fathers of
Confederation came to P.E.I., most of them were not greeted upon their arrival because most the population was at the circus. Right now the circus is in Washington,” Malloy said.
“I am hopeful that the rhetoric that has been applied most frequently to our southern neighbours but at times to our northern neighbours is just that — rhetoric.”
While Ottawa is undergoing formal negotiations on NAFTA, provinces and states can do their part by ensuring their longstanding relationships with one other remain strong, said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil.
But he and others suggested the 25-year-old trade agreement might be in need of an update.
“I’m not afraid to have this looked at,” McNeil said.
“After 25 years we should
have an assessment, a look at it, and how do we improve it?”
Former Canadian ambassador to the United States and former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna pointed out the many ways in which the United States is reliant on Canada, including for millions of jobs, energy supply and goods and services.
“There’s going to be a lot of jigs and reels before the whole thing is over, but the relationship is massive and it’s integrated and it’s highly supported on both sides of the border,” McKenna said.
“At the end of the day there’s just too much at stake here to tear it all up. And I remain confident we will end up having a deal that will be good for all.”
The five premiers from Atlantic Canada and Quebec and
six governors and state representatives from New England adopted four resolutions during their meetings, including on cross-border trade, climate change, active transportation and on collaboration in response to emergencies.
“In each of those, it was obvious that we have a natural bond, a natural sense of neighborhood, a shared stewardship and an opportunity to do great things together both in public policy and in the development of business on both sides of the border,” said P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan, who cochaired the meetings.
“This is a deep and productive relationship and we are confident that will continue to be the case.”