Canada-U.S. Trade Negotiations Fail

As of August 22nd, the negotiations between Canada and the United States have broken down, resulting in the imposition of tariffs on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods entering the United States. These tariffs will affect everything from dairy products such as milk and cream to furniture and alcohol. Initially, the tariffs were supposed to be imposed on the 19th of August but were postponed for negotiations to occur; it seems no compromise was able to be made.

Two of the most striking reasons for the breakdown are not trivial, but rather quite disturbing. According to a press conference given by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the failed negotiations are due to an introduction, at the last moment, of measures that would restrict Canada's ability to have trade deals with other nations, which undeniably is an imposition against Canadian sovereignty.

But this is not the only thing that the United States was seeking to change. According to the very same press release by Carney, the U.S. made changes to the deal that included efforts to restrict protections for the French language, Québécois culture, and Canadian culture at large. After previously making territorial threats against Canada, this only further illustrates how the United States and our proximity to them are completely corrosive to our nation. Furthermore, the imposition of these tariffs is a violation of CUSMA, as they target even products that fit within the rules of origin requirements.

In retaliation for all of this, the Canadian government will respond in kind with "dollar for dollar" tariffs, effective September 8th, that will affect dairy, electronics, agricultural products, and steel, among others. In support of Canadian businesses, the government will take additional measures for workers and businesses, which build on 25 billion dollars in support.

The withdrawal from these negotiations is only another event in this ongoing trade conflict, all of which deepens sentiment in the public and the government alike that the landscape of the Canada-U.S. relationship will be permanently and negatively impacted.