Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Mexico has been a “strong partner” in North American trade negotiations, but acknowledged that Donald Trump’s concerns about Chinese investment in its economy need to be addressed.
Trudeau was walking a fine line at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Lima, Peru on Saturday, as world leaders continue to grapple with Trump’s re-election and the prospect of four years of Republican rule in the United States.
Trudeau told reporters that “Mexico has been a strong partner in advancing the priorities of Canadians and the priorities and interests of workers across North America” in the latest round of trade negotiations with the United States.
“And we will always look to work with our partners to create further opportunities. There are concerns about the level of Chinese investment in Mexico that I believe need to be addressed, but I hope we can work constructively over the coming months and perhaps years to ensure North America remains a place of excellence.” For North America , for our workers, and for our middle class, and creates real growth.”
Trudeau’s comments came days after Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested Mexico “should not have a seat at the table” in the upcoming renegotiations on North American free trade unless the country matches Canadian and US tariffs on Chinese imports.
Get breaking national news
For news affecting Canada and around the world, sign up to get breaking news alerts delivered to you right as they happen.
Trump, who has made America’s international trade relations a central part of his first term and re-election campaign, accused Mexico of allowing Chinese companies to bypass the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and export vehicles and parts to the United States. North American market.
Canada followed President Joe Biden’s administration’s decision to impose a 100 per cent tariff on electric vehicles imported from China and a 25 per cent tax on Chinese steel and aluminum. Mexico has yet to follow suit.
“If Mexico does not fight transshipment by, at the very least, matching Canadian and U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, it should not have a seat at the table or enjoy access to the world’s largest economy,” Ford’s office said in a statement. statement.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith echoed Ford’s criticism in an interview with CBC News earlier this week.
The two Conservative prime ministers’ excitement comes as Canada — and the rest of the world — prepares to deal with a second Trump presidency and navigates the various promises and threats made by the president-elect over the past two years of the campaign.
Part of that will be a renewed cross-party “Team Canada” charm offensive targeting U.S. politicians from Congress down to the state and local level, a senior government source previously told Global News.
During the last Trump administration, this included prominent conservatives — including Ford himself — to try to spare the Canadian economy from Trump’s whims.
Trudeau told reporters that Trump’s anticipated return to the Oval Office had figured “to some degree” in conversations with world leaders at the APEC summit.
“People know that Canada was able to get through the first Trump presidency with great success in creating jobs for Canadians and American workers. (Other leaders) wanted to know what kinds of things they needed to focus on, and I pointed out that, you know, with a focus on the win-win, and understanding that There will be difficult moments ahead. Donald Trump will be very strong. “We have focused on what is good for the United States,” said Trudeau, now in his ninth year as prime minister.
“But since trade can and should be win-win, there are ways to work in serious but frank and open engagements that provide opportunities for people. … Let’s make sure we stand up for our citizens and create growth for all because that’s the conversation we have anyway.” .
&Copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
