Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Says Trump Trade Moves ‘Not Healthy’ for Relationship
Ex-U.S. Ambassador to Canada says adding trade penalties will not solve issues that have been present for decades.
U.S. Commerce Department officials say it’s been a tough week for trade relations with Canada.
President Trump wants to impose a 20 percent tariff on softwood lumber imports subsidized by Canada.
The president is also blasting Canada for protecting dairy manufacturers, a measure he says is putting U.S. farmers out of business.
The moves come as the relationship between the two North American nations is the focus of the Great Lakes Economic Forum, being held jointly in Detroit and Windsor.
“If there’s going to be compromise, which has to happen in trade negotiations, it’s about compromise, I don’t think it’s healthy for either one to look weak as a result of prior statements they’ve made.” – Bruce Heyman, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada
The conference includes Bruce Heyman, the former U.S. Ambassador to Canada under the Obama Administration.
Heyman says officials publicly bashing each other will not help create a new trade deal.
“If there’s going to be compromise, which has to happen in trade negotiations, it’s about compromise, I don’t think it’s healthy for either one to look weak as a result of prior statements they’ve made. it makes that negotiating circle smaller,” Heyman says.
He tells WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter that concern over trade issues between the U.S. and Canada is nothing new.
Canadian officials vow to fight against new U.S. tariffs, saying they may challenge the taxes before the World Trade Organization or under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Click on the audio link above for the full interview with Heyman
