While the US ponders economic sanctions on Canada, leaders from provinces and territories have arrived in Washington, DC, to beseech lawmakers on top of a change of mind. Their primary targets are clearly to seek pardons from the Trump administration, with many hoping to use their congruence with America as a bargaining chip concerning China.
Doug Ford, premier of Ontario and one of the most sought-after championists of the order, sounded the alarm bells for the proposition for 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods. Though many in the Trump administration support the tariffs publicly, Ford has claimed that many US lawmakers are against them behind the scenes.
Senators, congressmen, and governors from both parties told him that they saw this measure as “the craziest thing I ever heard.”
But Canadian leaders may or may not gain access to Trump’s inner circle, it is uncertain. British Columbia Premier David Eby pointed out the fact that, while victims have been arranged for the senior people, those very close to the president will likely confirm at the last minute.
To agitate the case before them, Canadian leaders are emphasizing their congruence with US trade on China. Ford lately proposed “Fortress Am-Can,” a program aimed at tracking US trade policies and limiting Chinese investment. He argues that China is trying to “hijack” global supply chains, pointing out that Canadian and American working lives are fed-up.
The provincial leaders, therefore, take the lead in responding to the Trump administration’s trade ethos as Trudeau prepares to step down on March 9. He resigned formally on January 6, in the meantime, he gets a limbo quality of being unclear as to when a successor will be elected.