NAFTA talks begin Aug. 16-20
Prime minister says ‘common front’ with political parties needed during trade negotiations with U.S.
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s willing to fill opposition parties in on Canada’s strategy as it heads into trilateral negotiations next month with the U.S. and Mexico on a new North American Free Trade Agreement.
Trudeau made the promise Wednesday as the U.S. announced that the first round of NAFTA negotiations will take place Aug. 16-20 in Washington, D.C.
At a news conference in Quebec City, Trudeau stressed the importance of presenting a non-partisan “united front to defend Canadian interests” in the crucial negotiations. “I have been pleased that, up until recently anyway, we have been working very, very collaboratively (with opposition parties) ... to present a common front because our relationship with the United States, the strength of our negotiations with the United States, has been more important than partisanship and still is for me,” he said.
“And that’s why we are more than happy to sit down with opposition parties and discuss the approach we’re going to take on negotiating, renegotiating NAFTA in the best interests of all Canadians.”
In French, Trudeau added that he’ll be very happy to have ministers sit down with representatives of other parties “so they know very well what we’re going to do to continue to defend Canadian interests.”
“For me, it’s a big issue, and we’re taking it seriously. That’s why I’m always open to working with all the different parties to show that we are all there to protect Canadians.”
On Monday, the U.S. disclosed its negotiating objectives. The Trudeau government has, until now, refused to go into much detail about its approach.
Conservative and New Democrat MPs joined forces Tuesday in a bid to pressure the government to end the secrecy surrounding the talks.
They forced the Commons international trade committee to schedule a meeting Friday, at which they’ll propose having an emergency meeting to grill Canada’s chief NAFTA negotiator and three key cabinet ministers — Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, Finance Minister Bill Morneau and International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne — on this country’s approach to the looming negotiations.
Among other things on the U.S. wish list revealed Monday, the Trump administration wants better access for U.S. agricultural exports, freer trade in telecommunications and online purchases, and elimination of the dispute resolution mechanism.
Trudeau insisted Tuesday that he won’t agree to dismantle Canada’s system of supply management for dairy and poultry products. And Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., David MacNaughton, said Tuesday it’s “critical” to have some kind of external mechanism to resolve disputes embedded in the pact.