Canada not the focus of Trump's NAFTA talk, ambassador says

[Tennis]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet colleagues have arrived in Calgary for a three-day retreat to ready themselves for the realities of governing in the Donald Trump era, and to hear from experts who they've tapped to help guide them through a potentially tumultuous time with the new president.

"Discussions throughout the retreat will span a range of issues — including strengthening the economy and growing the middle class, security, and the strength of the Canada-U.S. partnership and maintaining a constructive working relationship with the new administration," Cameron Ahmad, a spokesperson for the prime minister, said of the meetings.

The retreat comes hours after Trump told reporters in Washington that he will soon meet separately with both Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to begin renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and addressing ongoing border issues with the Mexican leader.

Nieto agreed in a phone call with Trudeau on Sunday to join forces to encourage economic integration in North America, according to a statement from Peno Nieto's office.

David MacNaughton, Canada's ambassador to the United States, who is in Calgary to brief ministers, told reporters Sunday that preliminary discussions with the Trump transition team have been positive, and Canada is not "at all" the target of Trump's trade rhetoric.

"They're principally focused on countries that have large trade deficits with them [Mexico and China] ... they haven't said anything specific about real problems they have with us ... but, I mean, we are part of NAFTA so there are discussions that need to be had," he said, adding there is a "worry" that Canada could be "collateral damage" of the administration's push to rethink the country's trade deals.

He said it was clear from early meetings with Trump's team that not all of them appreciated the "depth and breadth" of the economic, security and cultural relationship between the two countries.
David MacNaughton

Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton said Sunday Canada is not the target of Trump's trade talks. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

"Some of the rhetoric around protectionism is worrisome," he said, but added Canada has "a lot of leverage" because so many states sell goods and services to Canada.

Ultimately, there is a way to create a "win-win" for both the president and for Canada, the ambassador said. "It doesn't have to be a zero-sum game."

The White House website, updated since Trump's inauguration Friday, says that if Canada and Mexico refuse to accept a renegotiation of NAFTA that provides a "fair deal" for U.S. workers, then the U.S. will move to withdraw from it entirely.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said a date has not yet been set for a meeting between Trump and Trudeau.

Traditionally, the first foreign trip by a U.S. president is to Canada as it was for former president Barack Obama who visited Ottawa in early February 2009.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trud...rump-1.3947545

Good to know. We are Canada and we deserve respect.
We have to hope that the new President takes the counsel of Mr Trudeau seriously.

[Independent voter]

Probably Mexico won't be the focus either.

[Kalis]

We have to hope that the new President takes the counsel of Mr Trudeau seriously.

Considering that Trump is plagued by accusations of misogyny, authoritarianism and dodgy business dealings, I am not sure that meeting a politician who has praised misogynists, eulogised murderous dictators and has shown no regard for ethical standards in office, is going to do much in the way of good.

Unless Trump intends to learn all the secrets of lowlife politics, then I suppose Trudeau is the man to go to.

[Tennis]

Considering that Trump is plagued by accusations of misogyny, authoritarianism and dodgy business dealings, I am not sure that meeting a politician who has praised misogynists, eulogised murderous dictators and has shown no regard for ethical standards in office, is going to do much in the way of good.

Unless Trump intends to learn all the secrets of lowlife politics, then I suppose Trudeau is the man to go to.

U.S and Canada have always been close allies.

Please list 5 dictators that Mr Trudeau has eulogised. Since it's so common according to you, this should be easy.

[Kalis]

U.S and Canada have always been close allies.

Please list 5 dictators that Mr Trudeau has eulogised. Since it's so common according to you, this should be easy.

Why do I need to list five, that seems arbitrary?

It is an utter disagrace to all those murdered victims and their families that Trudeau praised Castro on behalf of Canada, unless of course you agree that murdering political opponents is acceptable. So do you think Trudeau is a disgrace, or do you think that murdering political opponents is acceptable?

[Aflakk47]

If Trump doesn't reach a 'pro-American' deal with Canada/Mexico regarding NAFTA, there's always the prior CUSFTA (Canada-US Free Trade Agreement, predecessor to Mexico's inclusion and NAFTA). Doubt it will go much further than that, since Canada is by far the US's largest trading partner, being the single largest Importer of American goods and 2nd largest Exporter to America (3rd if you consider the entire EU as a single entity). The US economy couldn't function as it is now without a FTA between them and Canada

[Spectral]

Obviously it's it doesn't make sense to treat Trudeau like a serious person, but aside from that, yes, Canada's a good friend and should be treated accordingly.

[Aflakk47]

Why do I need to list five, that seems arbitrary?

It is an utter disagrace to all those murdered victims and their families that Trudeau praised Castro on behalf of Canada, unless of course you agree that murdering political opponents is acceptable. So do you think Trudeau is a disgrace, or do you think that murdering political opponents is acceptable?

Yes, Fidel Castro killed political opposition to retain power in Cuba, but that doesn't change the fact that his rule had positive change on Cuba. Since he became ruler, Cuban's life expectancy at birth is equal to the US's despite having 1/20th the spending. Illiteracy in the country has been wiped out as their education system has grown. So yes, while some aspects of his presidency are rather despicable, you cannot disagree with the positive changes his rule has had on the country.

Maybe now that he's dead the US will keep their business out of countries where they don't belong. Quit trying to force your American post-Cold War viewpoints of other countries on Canada and focus on why your own country is so fucked up.

[Spectral]

Yes, Fidel Castro killed political opposition to retain power in Cuba, but that doesn't change the fact that his rule had positive change on Cuba. Since he became ruler, Cuban's life expectancy at birth is equal to the US's despite having 1/20th the spending. Illiteracy in the country has been wiped out as their education system has grown. So yes, while some aspects of his presidency are rather despicable, you cannot disagree with the positive changes his rule has had on the country.

Maybe now that he's dead the US will keep their business out of countries where they don't belong. Quit trying to force your American post-Cold War viewpoints of other countries on Canada and focus on why your own country is so fucked up.

Nevermind the crushing poverty and brutal murders, there are kids that can read because of Castro!

Fuck communism and fuck that ignorant little prick that Canada elected.

[Kalis]

Yes, Fidel Castro killed political opposition to retain power in Cuba, but that doesn't change the fact that his rule had positive change on Cuba. Since he became ruler, Cuban's life expectancy at birth is equal to the US's despite having 1/20th the spending. Illiteracy in the country has been wiped out as their education system has grown. So yes, while some aspects of his presidency are rather despicable, you cannot disagree with the positive changes his rule has had on the country.

Maybe now that he's dead the US will keep their business out of countries where they don't belong.

Life expectancy for the people he had shot didn't increase.

Some murderous dictators built motorways and others made the trains run on time, which was nice, but they are still murderous dictators, just like Castro.

Quit trying to force your American post-Cold War viewpoints of other countries on Canada and focus on why your own country is so fucked up.

Perhaps better to direct that at an American.

[paralleluniverse]

NAFTA is a 3rd tier issue. The effect on the economy of renegotiating it will be infinitesimal.

[NED funded]

I don't think its hard to add the letter ñ, to the name Peña.

[Tennis]

@Tennisace



I really need to know. Have you ever been diagnosed with some kind of autism spectrum disorder? I'm not trying to insult you, I'm trying to understand you.

No. Why would you say such a hurtful thing?

[Draco-Onis]

Nevermind the crushing poverty and brutal murders, there are kids that can read because of Castro!

Fuck communism and fuck that ignorant little prick that Canada elected.

I have news for you, the US has been and is in bed with a lot of brutal dictators including some that have done things that make Castro look like a saint in comparison. There is no evil and good when it comes to countries we do what we think is best for our interests.

[Adolecent]

There is no evil and good when it comes to countries we do what we think is best for our interests.

Yes there is. You just don't want to acknowledge it.

[Spectral]

I have news for you, the US has been and is in bed with a lot of brutal dictators including some that have done things that make Castro look like a saint in comparison. There is no evil and good when it comes to countries we do what we think is best for our interests.

I find it entirely feasible to acknowledge evil deeds done by the USA without sinking into the complete moral nihilism of claiming that there isn't a striking difference in the ethics of different nations.

[Draco-Onis]

Yes there is. You just don't want to acknowledge it.

There are levels but we sponsor and are friends with some very cruel and brutal people, I understand you refusing to acknowledge that.

- - - Updated - - -

I find it entirely feasible to acknowledge evil deeds done by the USA without sinking into the complete moral nihilism of claiming that there isn't a striking difference in the ethics of different nations.

There are shades of gray, there is no moral high ground, to claim that we have one is the ignoring reality and the definition of hypocrisy. It's nice propaganda and help the masses feel better but countries do what they must.

[Spectral]

There are shades of gray, there is no moral high ground, to claim that we have one is the ignoring reality and the definition of hypocrisy.

If you're unable to see that 20th century France (for example) was a more morally sound nation than the Soviet Union, you'd ceded all ground to moral nihilists. This isn't a good position to be in.

[Draco-Onis]

If you're unable to see that 20th century France (for example) was a more morally sound nation than the Soviet Union, you'd ceded all ground to moral nihilists. This isn't a good position to be in.

France really? the people who were so hellbent on revenge instituted policies that resulted in the rise Hitler that France?

[Spectral]

France really? the people who were so hellbent on revenge instituted policies that resulted in the rise Hitler that France?

Like I said, if you're not able to arrive at France>USSR, you're ethically challenged.