Canada ‘not going to rush into a bad deal’
Benefit beats timeliness, says ambassador
• Canada’s ambassador to the United States says he is pushing hard for a timely resolution on the NAFTA renegotiation, but he won’t accept a bad deal to get it.
“We’ve heard from Canadian business ( and) from the provinces that there’s a certain amount of uncertainty that is causing people to perhaps delay i nvestments,” David MacNaughton said Tuesday on the opening day of the premiers annual summer meeting.
“Obviously if we could get a clarification of the trading relationship sooner rather than later it would be better, but having said that we’re not going to rush into a bad deal.
“We’re ready to sit down and work on this negotiation for as long as it takes to get something that is going to be good for Canadians.”
MacNaughton made the comments prior to briefing the leaders of Canada’s provinces and territories on trade and the NAFTA talks.
In May, U. S. President Donald Trump’s administration gave notice it wants to rework the 23- year- old tripartite North American Free Trade Agreement. The president says it is obsolete and unfair to American workers.
On Monday, the U. S. released a list of what it wishes to see changed when talks begin next month.
The U. S. wants more exports of its dairy and other agricultural products, free trade in telecommunication and online purchases, and the elimination of independent dispute resolution panels, which have ruled in Canada’s favour on contentious issues such as softwood lumber.
MacNaughton said some form of external dispute resolution is critical.
“Whether or not that dispute resolution mechanism can be improved or modernized, I think we’re up for discussions around that, but there needs to be some kind of a dispute resolution mechanism as part of the agreement.”
MacNaughton said recent discussions with U. S. business leaders, state governors and the Trump administra- tion suggest everyone is seeking a fair and balanced deal. But if the U. S. wants Canada to l oosen up on subsidies and protectionist rules, the ambassador says bring it on.
“The U.S. dairy industry is heavily subsidized and heavily protected, as is their sugar industry and a number of other areas, so if they want to start talking about opening up agricultural markets we’re happy to talk about them opening up theirs.”
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said given that the U. S. list of NAFTA concerns is 16 pages long, Canadians should not expect a resolution anytime soon.
“It would be extremely unlikely that such a wide, broad list of subjects could be settled in a matter of months,” Couillard said. “It will take years.”
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said timing is critical.
“What I want to make sure ... is that these negotiations don’t linger on,” said McNeil, whose province is a heavy exporter of seafood and rubber to the U.S.
“The investment world needs certainty. Both of our countries need this.”