Trudeau and Trump to hold talks as economic tensions escolate
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House today to discuss trade.
Tensions between the two neighbours are at an all-time high. Last week, Washington imposed hefty duties on Canadian-owned Bombadier airplane imports; the levies have made it virtually impossible for the firm to sell its planes in the US market.
Meanwhile, the fourth-round of NAFTA talks will also commence today. Little progress has been made in the past three talks, as Ottawa has balked at demands made by the US that it open its currently protected dairy market.
Trudeau’s mission today will be to reverse the airplane levies and assure Trump that NAFTA needs no alterations. Given his unchanging “America First” rhetoric, the US president is unlikely to budge on these issues. Trudeau is also scheduled today to meet with the House Committee on Ways and Means, the group responsible for implementing changes to NAFTA. He’ll be better served to save his charm offensive for that meeting.
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