Carney and Trump holding secret talks on trade and security, U.S. envoy says

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-carney-and-trump-in-direct-talks-says-us-envoy/

Posted by joe4942

4 comments

  1. Prime Minister Mark Carney is engaged in secret negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump to establish a trade and security agreement, as confirmed by U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra. The discussions, which include key cabinet members from both countries, are being conducted discreetly to ensure a successful outcome, with the potential for a deal to be reached before September. The talks focus on various issues, including automotive exports, U.S. access to Canadian minerals, defense spending, and border security, while excluding Mexico from the discussions. Hoekstra emphasized the urgency of these negotiations, particularly in light of rising competition with China, which the U.S. views as a significant threat. Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed optimism about the negotiations but warned that Canada may impose additional tariffs if a deal is not reached soon, highlighting the importance of protecting Canadian jobs in the steel and aluminum industries.

  2. **TL;DR:**

    • Prime Minister Mark Carney is holding direct talks with U.S. President Donald Trump to iron out a framework for a trade and security agreement.

    • Talks between the leaders and top cabinet ministers are being held under a cone of silence to ensure a positive outcome. Talks include increased defence spending, energy, border security, fentanyl as well as steel and aluminum.

    • Canada is under pressure at upcoming NATO meetings to join allies in boosting defence spending as a share of gross domestic product to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Canada has matched the United States in imposing steep tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminium from China.

    • China has hit Canadian agricultural and seafood imports with retaliatory tariffs and has called for a broader and deeper commercial relationship with Canada. The Canadian Press is happy to clarify that the talks are solely between Canada and the U.K.

    • and do not involve Mexico, the ambassador said. He said it was entirely possible that a deal could be reached before September, something the Prime Minister alluded to last week.

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